UK Gas and Electricity Crisis Looming

Totally_Baffled · Post by **Totally_Baffled** » 19 Dec 2005, 10:28

http://business.scotsman.com/utilities. ... 2427842005

Totally_Baffled · Post by **Totally_Baffled** » 23 Dec 2005, 09:54

Just a quick question, does anyone have a breakdown of UK natural gas consumption?

For example, if we use circa 100BCM, what percentage is used on electricity generation , home heating, industry etc

I know Chris will have the answers somewhere , can you post me a link please?

Many thanks

skeptik · Post by **skeptik** » 23 Dec 2005, 11:28

Totally_Baffled wrote:Just a quick question, does anyone have a breakdown of UK natural gas consumption?

For example, if we use circa 100BCM, what percentage is used on electricity generation , home heating, industry etc

I know Chris will have the answers somewhere , can you post me a link please?

Many thanks

No direct link to hand, but the Department of Trade and Industry website is a good place to start for stats like that

http://www.dti.gov.uk/

try the 'energy' link at top of page... shouldnt be too far from there for what you want.

johnhemming · Post by **johnhemming** » 23 Dec 2005, 23:00

At the moment (December figures from National Grid presentation about a week ago) only 30% of electricity is generated from gas and we have 21% leeway on generation.

That is because the price has cut gas generation from the usual 42.5%. (Figures source from National Grid 10 year plan).

MY two blogs have some info on this
http://johnhemming.blogspot.com
and
http://gasissues.blogspot.com

Mr. Fox · Post by **Mr. Fox** » 31 Dec 2005, 04:47

skeptik wrote:No direct link to hand, but the Department of Trade and Industry website is a good place to start for stats like that

http://www.dti.gov.uk/

try the 'energy' link at top of page... shouldnt be too far from there for what you want.

http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/inform/

A lot can be worked out from the 'flowchart' - pdf file, second from bottom.

fishertrop · Post by **fishertrop** » 31 Dec 2005, 11:47

Grid alert as families face cold weather power cuts

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0, ... 24,00.html

HUNDREDS of thousands of homes across the UK came within hours of power cuts after the National Grid issued an emergency call for electricity companies to reduce demand on one of the coldest days of the year.

The companies were preparing to cut power or dim the lights on Thursday by lowering the voltage, after the grid issued a warning of a possible problem between 4.30pm and 6.30pm. Power generators were told to make more power available on the system, while distribution companies were informed that if no more power were made available they might have to cut some customers off temporarily. The highly unusual shortage comes as fears mount over the security of Britain?s energy supplies. There was also concern that there was insufficient capacity, even though most industry was still on a Christmas break.

Post by **mikepepler** » 31 Dec 2005, 12:31

fishertrop wrote:Grid alert as families face cold weather power cuts

I've posted this on the site news.

Bandidoz · Post by **Bandidoz** » 31 Dec 2005, 13:44

I watched the Select Committee on BBC Parliament last night, it was interesting to see how the "cutting off large industrial users on interruptible tariff" was being interpreted by MPs as "Foreign companies will be unwilling to invest in the UK for having unreliable electricity supply", and to this end, Kyoto targets should be "temporarily relieved" if necessary.

I couldn't help but feel a little for Malcolm Wicks. He's got a lot of balls to juggle.

Post by **clv101** » 31 Dec 2005, 14:52

fishertrop wrote:Grid alert as families face cold weather power cuts

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0, ... 24,00.html

HUNDREDS of thousands of homes across the UK came within hours of power cuts after the National Grid issued an emergency call for electricity companies to reduce demand on one of the coldest days of the year.

The companies were preparing to cut power or dim the lights on Thursday by lowering the voltage, after the grid issued a warning of a possible problem between 4.30pm and 6.30pm. Power generators were told to make more power available on the system, while distribution companies were informed that if no more power were made available they might have to cut some customers off temporarily. The highly unusual shortage comes as fears mount over the security of Britain?s energy supplies. There was also concern that there was insufficient capacity, even though most industry was still on a Christmas break.

The incredible thing about this story is that it happened during the Christmas week. If that weather (we measured -8.4C at 5pm in Lincolnshire) was to occur in a few weeks time when business is back at full tilt and Russia could have reduced gas flows into Europe due to the Ukrainian dispute this blackout might have happened. I'll certainly be watching the weather forecasts closely through Jan/Feb.

The amount of electricity available this week has been lower than usual after some power generators temporarily shut down their gas-fired power stations because of the high price of gas. Wholesale gas prices have been 50 per cent higher than last winter.

This is exactly what I expected would happen and what would cause the problem.

RevdTess · Post by **RevdTess** » 31 Dec 2005, 19:20

Meanwhile the EU emissions trading scheme is screaming at us that we're using too much coal power generation and need to switch to gas in a very big way. Er, what gas would that be?

Post by **clv101** » 01 Jan 2006, 18:20

The forecast for this coming weekend (including Friday) is cold and snowy. Seeing how bad an effect cold weather had during the low demand Christmas week I expect similarly cold weather during a normal working week will cause disruption. The Russia/Ukraine can only make it harder for UK to import gas - even if it's there the increased risk of it not being might make the Europeans reluctant to sell.

I've written about it here: It was cold, will it be cold when it matters?

johnhemming · Post by **johnhemming** » 01 Jan 2006, 21:14

Chris has done a good job with his post (properly researched as ever). It is possible that Friday will be a fundamental test of our Energy Supplies.

It could get a bit colder a bit earlier, but it looks like the shit will hit the fan on Friday and get messier the longer the cold spell lasts. (OTOH the weather could be mild and there would be no real problems)

If it lasts until 12th Jan then it will coincide with a debate in the HoC about Gas Supplies which should be a bit of fun.

I haven't get managed to get "Exercise Ostrich" into the mainstream media who have been a bit scared of covering the gas crisis - mainly because the government deny everything.

It is possible that we have a continuation of cold weather through much of Jan and Feb although I would not say that this is likely as yet.

John A. M. Hemming MP, MA (Oxon), FRSA
Chairman Independent Energy Scrutiny Panel

fishertrop · Post by **fishertrop** » 02 Jan 2006, 08:38

Nice blogwork again Chris. Interesting to see how the MSM are reporting things...

Russian gas row reignites nuclear debate
Domestic bills likely to be forced up

Terry Macalister
Monday January 2, 2006
The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story ... 60,00.html

A Russian gas supply crisis triggered warnings last night that UK householders will face further significant price increases in 2006. Growing unease over future energy security in Britain also led to calls for a quick decision on a new generation of nuclear power stations. Analysts predict that, as things stand, by 2020 almost 70% of Britain's electricity generation will be reliant on gas imported from countries such as Russia.

fishertrop · Post by **fishertrop** » 02 Jan 2006, 08:41

johnhemming wrote: If it lasts until 12th Jan then it will coincide with a debate in the HoC about Gas Supplies which should be a bit of fun.

Will this be another points-scoring grandstand tho, or a proper debate?

Is it one of those sparesly-attended late-night efforts, since they seem to be the ones where real debate occurs ? (!!)

Post by **mikepepler** » 02 Jan 2006, 09:10

clv101 wrote:I've written about it here: It was cold, will it be cold when it matters?

Good stuff Chris, I've published a story and link on the main site. Give me a shout when you have more articles you'd like on the front page, or you could publish them there yourself?