The case for fracking
sir – At the last moment there are signs that the energy crisis might persuade the Prime Minister to reverse his decision to close down our nascent shale gas industry (report, March 9).
The cementing-in of Cuadrilla’s wells at Preston New Road is an act of economic vandalism, and represents the greatest act of self-harm inflicted by politicians and civil servants on the security of this country since Denis Healey’s inexplicable destruction of the TSR2 fighter project.
Britain will continue to be dependent on gas for the foreseeable future. As we move to greater electrification, we will require additional gas-fired base-load as well as standby capacity for interruptions in renewables output. The regulatory regime imposed on the gas industry could have been designed to ensure failure, and needs to be completely rethought.
The Prime Minister must insist that development of shale gas is given absolute priority. Such a move would contribute massively to our energy security and our economy, not least in “levelling up” the North West. Patrick de Pelet
Templecombe, Somerset
sir – The news (Business, March 8) that Rolls-royce is raising significant sums to develop Small Modular Reactors (SMRS) is encouraging.
If we must include nuclear power as part of our energy arsenal, SMRS appear to be the way forward. They will be cheaper to build than traditional nuclear power stations, with less environmental impact, and will also be faster to erect.
Furthermore, the jobs created as a result of SMRS will be more equitably spread across the country, helping to support the levelling-up agenda. Lucia Daniels
London SW2
sir – In July 2012, I wrote an article in
Petroleum Review magazine about Italy’s ambition to become a major gas supply hub for Europe. A number of the projects described came to fruition, most notably the Trans Adriatic Pipeline and OLT Toscana LNG import terminal. Since 2018, it has become possible to export gas from these schemes to Germany and France through the Transit Gas system.
However, a pipeline project called Galsi fell by the wayside. This would have transported eight billion cubic metres of natural gas per year from Algeria, through Sardinia to the Tuscan coast. It was being managed by the Italian firm SNAM.
I believe that the project should be reviewed, given that the EU is looking for urgent diversification of gas supplies in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine. Jeff Crook
South Croydon, Surrey
sir – I filled my wife’s car yesterday morning, and two hours later filled my own ready for a long journey at the weekend. In that short time the price per litre went up by two pence. The garage did not have a new fuel delivery.
Surely that is pure profiteering. Brian Green
Huddersfield, West Yorkshire