UK energy depends on Moscow for gas supply
TENSIONS with Moscow have highlighted the UK’s reliance on Russian gas.
Britain imports an increasing amount of its gas, due to dwindling North Sea stocks.
Nearly half of the UK’s gas comes from European pipelines, and over a third of that is from Russia.
A further 13% of the UK’s reserves come as liquefied natural gas, which Russia provided nearly half of this year. And the country already has a foothold here via firm Gazprom, which sells mainly to UK companies.
A cold snap next week is expected to increase energy demand. And a report from energy experts S&P Platts said this could force Europe to use more Russian gas.
It said: “Given the surge in demand, Russian gas supplies are considered the only swing source of gas under current conditions. Domestic production and other import sources are effectively maxed out.”
An increase in demand would see wholesale costs go up, a rise many firms will pass on to consumers.
Russia is also a major supplier of coal to the UK, and was the biggest overseas source in 2015.
Tim Roache, general secretary of the GMB union, said: “There is a real danger here in terms of energy independence.
“We cannot and should not be beholden to foreign powers who could turn the tap off.”