The Rough site is not a panacea, but it remains a crucial factor in enhancing the country’s resilience and instilling confidence during the colder months, according to the firm’s chief executive.
Energy giant Centrica has expanded the capacity of the UK’s largest gas storage facility. This is to enhance resilience for the upcoming winter. The Rough site, situated 18 miles off the East Yorkshire coast in the North Sea, was previously decommissioned in 2017 but was reopened last year. Having the capability to store approximately 30 billion cubic feet (bcf) of gas. Centrica, the parent company of British Gas, has recently raised this capacity to 54 billion bcf. With this expansion, the facility now contributes to half of the UK’s total gas storage.
The increased capacity of 54 billion bcf at the Rough site will now be sufficient to provide heating for 2.4 million homes throughout the winter, according to the firm’s announcement.
Expanding
Chris O’Shea, the Group Chief Executive of Centrica, stated, “The resilience of the UK’s energy system needs to be substantially improved. We are pleased to contribute by expanding the country’s gas storage capacity further. While Rough is not a silver bullet for energy security, it plays a crucial role in augmenting capacity and instilling confidence in the supply chain during the winter months. Rough aids our energy system by storing natural gas during surplus periods and supplying it when the country requires it during cold spells and peak demand.
The prospect of a decrease in energy prices for households is on the horizon
The adjustment is occurring in conjunction with a reduction in energy prices for households, effective from Saturday. This change is a result of Ofgem’s energy price cap being lowered due to a decline in wholesale gas prices.
Earlier this week, the National Grid announced that there would be no coal-fired power as a backup this winter to ensure the stability of the electricity supply. In the previous year, there were five contingency units available in response to the energy market’s challenges stemming from Russia’s conflict in Ukraine. These units were activated multiple times, particularly in March during a cold spell that affected wind generation. However, as part of the government’s commitment to addressing climate change, these contingency coal-fired units will no longer be available in the future.
Maintaining the demand flexibility service (DFS)
The National Grid Electricity Systems Operator (ESO) has affirmed the importance of retaining the demand flexibility service (DFS), introduced in 2022. This initiative, which was implemented for the first time in January following a series of tests and false alarms, involves compensating volunteer households for turning off their primary appliances during periods of peak demand. The DFS is considered a prudent measure to manage and balance electricity demand effectively.
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