Gas system in transition: Security of supply

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has responded to a consultation from DESNZ regarding the gas system in transition: security of supply.

The IET welcomes the consultation but has highlighted several recommendations that must be considered to competently achieve the transition towards net zero.  

IET recommendations:

• Natural gas will play a vital role across all phases of the transition: Natural gas remains fundamental to the UK energy system currently, during the transition to Net Zero, and into the post-2050 period. 
• Indigenous gas enhances energy resilience: Domestic gas production materially strengthens the UK’s energy resilience by reducing exposure to physical imports from global markets, helping to provide a hedge against global price volatility, geopolitical risks and supply disruptions. 
• Maintaining indigenous production delivers strategic and economic benefits: There are significant strategic, economic and system-wide benefits to maintaining and enhancing indigenous gas production.
• The role of UK gas production should evolve toward energy resilience: As the energy system transitions, UK gas production should shift from competing directly with global gas markets to prioritising energy resilience and system support for the UK.
• Protecting the gas production industry avoids costly capability gaps: It is essential to nurture and protect the UK’s gas production industry to avoid repeating past strategic errors. 
• Indigenous gas reduces consumption-based greenhouse gas emissions: Liquified natural gas (LNG) imports have significantly higher lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions than domestically produced gas, largely due to liquefaction, shipping and methane leakage.
• A whole-system approach: A whole-system perspective in energy planning and modelling is essential for success.