The role of natural gas in the UK’s energy mix is the focus of an Oil and Gas UK breakfast briefing in London on Thursday, July 12.
Mike Tholen, the industry body’s economics and commercial director, said: “The UK’s energy strategy is under intense pressure to enable renewal and replacement of infrastructure in an affordable manner while delivering near-term carbon-reduction targets.”
Mr Tholen said investors were faced with the need to make huge investments at a time when decisions were hindered by a lack of clarity around the long-term commercial attractiveness of some power sources, adding: “Natural gas is cost-effective, will cut emissions sharply and the technology is proven.
“Its use rose to satisfy some 40% of electricity demand last year from a standing start in the early 1990s. In determining the path towards a lower-carbon future . . . the continuing important role of gas needs to be seriously considered given the various cost, technical and reliability challenges of other power sources.”
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