Euro-MP fearful of the dash for gas

A North West Euro-MP says the UK’s dash for gas-fired power stations is making the country more vulnerable.

Liberal Democrat Chris Davies wants European action to stop the UK running out of gas in future cold snaps.

Mr Davies says that the Government’s plans for many new gas power stations could leave the UK dependent on the goodwill of Russia for vital energy supplies.

During the severe winter weather, the National Grid reduced gas supplies to industry and issued a number of alers.

Britain’s gas reserves beneath the North Sea are dwindling and we rely on supplies from Norway and eastern Europe.

Mr Davies is calling on the European Union to step up its efforts to improve energy security.

Mr Davies said across Europe, half of planned new power stations will run on gas, a quarter on coal and only 8% will use renewable energy sources.

He added: “We are putting all our eggs in one basket by building too many gas power stations. It’s a cheap option now, but we shall pay a high price for it in the future.

“If there is ever a cut back of supplies, the UK is at the end of a long pipeline from Russia. We must have strong European rules to ensure fair play between EU countries.”

The Euro-MP is the leading supporter in the European Parliament of developing carbon capture and storage technology that will allow the use of coal fired power stations without releasing CO2 into the atmosphere.