How will the anticipated gas shortages affect your business?

This winter, there is a “significant risk” of gas shortages in the UK, according to the leading energy industry regulator.

In a statement, Ofgem announced: “Due to the war in Ukraine and gas shortages in Europe, there is a significant risk that shortages could occur during winter 2022-23 in the United Kingdom. And as a result, there is a possibility that we could enter into a gas supply emergency.”

If this happens, supplies would be cut to large gas-fired power stations, which produce electricity for the national grid.

How much excess gas storage does the UK have?

The UK only imports 4% of its gas from Russia, so we’re not as badly affected by the sanctions imposed on Russia since its invasion of Ukraine. However, the current global energy crisis does affect us in a big way.

Why?

Because, unlike some European countries, which store over 25% of their annual gas demand, the UK storage capacity is just 2%.

Could the UK have planned better?

The sad truth is, yes.

The Times ran a story in 2017 called, UK’s lack of gas security ‘is storing up trouble’, which predicted issues surrounding the UK’s low gas storage:

Image source: The Times

With the unpredictability of the markets and a push towards renewables known for some time, the UK has had plenty of time to increase its storage capacity.

But what is most damning is that we’re the most northern country on the list. And as a country with fewer solar hours than most, the need for storage of our largest electricity-producing fuel was there to see all those years ago.

How the gas shortages will affect your business, and what you can do to mitigate them

There’s a possibility that gas shortages will affect the day-to-day running of your business. You might have to close early or completely, resulting in a loss of income or worse: losing contracts due to the inability to meet deadlines.

Not only that, you will still have to pay staff for not working (it’s not their fault after all).

Short and long-term, it could affect you in a big way.

So, what can you do to mitigate this?

Well, you need to find a way to reduce your energy demand and consumption in both the short and long term and become less reliant on the grid. You should also be looking at low carbon and renewable technologies such as heat pumps and solar.

But where do you begin?

Helping you switch to renewable energy

Every business should be looking at its energy consumption. It’s a difficult time, and it doesn’t look like things will be resolved in the short term — that’s where Inteb can help.

We’ve been helping clients for over 15 years reduce their energy consumption and switch to cheaper, more reliable renewable alternatives.

Don’t wait to pay more than you should.

The time to act is now.

Switch to renewables and reduce your energy consumption

Let’s get the conversation started – call us now on 0151 601 3476