ENA welcomes recognition of future role for gas by Energy and Climate Change Select Committee

Wednesday, January 26, 2011 at 12:21PM

Commenting on the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee report looking at the draft National Policy Statements for energy, David Smith, Chief Executive of Energy Networks Association (ENA) said:  

“We welcome the Committee’s recognition of the future role for gas in managing energy demands at peak times through unabated gas and for storage through abated gas. Meeting the UK’s energy and climate change targets is a huge challenge but through an all-encompassing energy solution gas, alongside electricity, can act as a bridge to an affordable, sustainable and secure energy future for the UK.  

“A report commissioned by ENA and produced by Redpoint Energy Consulting has shown that by retaining gas within the energy mix, the UK can save £700bn out to 2050 compared with scenarios where gas is phased out – that’s the equivalent of £20,000 per household. This cost-effective solution can be achieved whilst still meeting climate change targets as part of a programme that introduces renewable sources onto the network.  

“The Committee’s call for political certainty is also a very positive step in securing long-term investment and providing the industry with the clarity needed to support the move to a low-carbon future and a secure energy supply for the UK.”  

ENDS  

Notes to editor  

1. Unabated gas refers to generation without carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, abated gas is the term for generation using this process.  

2. The Energy and Climate Change Select Committee’s report looks at the Revised Draft National Policy Statements on Energy and can be found here.

3. The ENA and Redpoint Energy Consulting report can be downloaded from the ENA website here.   

4. Gas is delivered to nearly 60 million people in the UK and the latest figures show that gas provides over 50% of UK energy demand. Our members connect up to 100,000 new gas consumers a year and in particular it is used to address domestic fuel poverty.  

5. ENA represents the ‘wires and pipes’ transmission and distribution network operators for gas and electricity in the UK and Ireland.  

For further information please contact:
Tim Field, Press and Public Affairs Executive
Energy Networks Association
E: [email protected]
T: +44 (0)207 706 5157
M: +44 (0)7725 372 758
W: www.energynetworks.org