Following recent revelations that during the deep freeze the UK had only eight days of gas storage remaining, a leading Teesside Conservative says this area could provide the necessary skills and storage capacity to resolve the problem and help stabilise the country’s gas prices.
Figures published by the Conservative Party on 5th January 2010 revealed the UK had only eight days worth of gas storage remaining, based on current usage levels.
Now James Wharton, Conservative candidate for Stockton South, is calling for a thorough geographic survey of former salt mines and cavities beneath the Tees estuary to form part of a feasibility study to prompt use of the area’s unique geography to store gas. Cavities are already being used at Seal Sands to store LPG but it is thought extra capacity could exist south of the estuary under re-claimed land and under sea.
Gas storage is important because it enables energy companies to buy gas at times of low demand when the price is lower and release it at times of high demand such as the recent winter freeze. Long term storage is being planned using cavities from former oil fields beneath the North Sea but short term storage could be accessed locally.
James Wharton said: “Forward thinking peoplerealise that Tees Valley can be an energy hub for the UK. Numerous companies are investing in green energy technology locally and it makes sense to demonstrate how our existing geography and local skills can contribute to solving the serious problem of the country’s inadequate gas storage. If there are cavities from former salt mines that are not under populated areas then these resources should be put to use to help our local economy.
“There are numerous strategic bodies serving the area, they need to come together to gather and present the evidence we need to encourage the investment in this crucial element of energy policy.”
Greg Clark, the Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary, criticised the Government for having "its head in the sand on this issue for 12 years". He said "I have repeatedly warned that Britain lacks the essential back-up plans needed for situations like this one".
Mr. Clark also said that this alert is "just a taste of what’s to come as a result of Labour's negligence", citing the National Grid's prediction that the ‘likelihood to interrupt' gas supplies is ‘high’ in the North West and the East Midlands.
"When will the Government understand we need more storage capacity and the ability to get gas to consumers so nobody has to face the possibility of going without gas during cold snaps like this one?", he added.
11th January 2010 Tags: Stockton James Wharton | 
