Plant cuts gas consumption in response to cold weather
A RUNCORN chemical plant reduced its natural gas consumption by 20% following a request from National Grid.
Inovyn said it had agreed to the temporary measure after a request that was prompted by the severe cold weather.
Natural Grid issued its gas deficit warning on Thursday and lifted it on Friday morning.
Inovyn said it showed why the UK needs shale gas sourced via hydraulic ‘fracking’ to ensure stable energy supplies.
It added that shale gas extraction would bring in billions in investment and create jobs.
Inovyn in Weston Point is a subsidiary of global petrochemical giant Ineos and its Runcorn site is the UK’s only chlorine production operation.
Other sources of energy for the works include the 121MW waste incinerator operated by Viridor, the biggest in the UK.
An Inovyn spokeswoman said: “Following consultation with National Grid, Inovyn has agreed to temporarily reduce natural gas consumption at Runcorn site by 20%.
“The site, which produces the chlorine that ● treats around 98% of the UK’s drinking water, will ensure continued supply by using alternative local supplies.
“Although our parent company Ineos is happy to work with the Government and government agencies during this period of bad weather, it is aware that this crisis lays bare the urgent need for increased domestic supplies of gas.
“These supplies can be provided by shale and yet multiple projects are being held up at the planning and surveying stage.
“Keeping lights on and homes heated is a proud part of what Ineos does and is a responsibility that it takes seriously.
“This week has made it clear that we all need to start to take the benefits that shale gas can bring to the UK, just as seriously.
“Ineos’s investment in shale also impacts manufacturing jobs.
“These jobs are not created without investment and there is precious little in the North of England at the moment.
“Recent figures on jobs and investment estimate that the shale industry is expected to bring in £33bn of investment into England alone over the next two decades.
“The resources beneath our feet can be used to create jobs, heat our homes and go a long way towards self-sufficiency.”