It's A Gas Gas Gas!

The use of natural gas in generating electricity in the UK can possibly drop by 10% over the next 30 years, the UK Energy Research Centre has claimed.

10:35 26 February 2016

In November last year, the government has hinted that the country’s remaining coal-fire power stations could be phased out by 2025.

 

Energy secretary Amber Rudd said that such plan will go ahead if nuclear and gas-fuelled generation could fill the gap and act as a bridge to a decarbonized future.

 

In a new study conducted by the UK Energy Research Centre, it was claimed that the use of natural gas for electricity generation in the UK may have to decline significantly over the next 30 years. It also warned that current government policies will deter investment in gas.

 

"There is limited scope for gas to act as a bridge (to a decarbonised future)," said Prof Jim Watson from the UK Energy Research Centre.

 

"If we stick to carbon targets and have CCS, you've got a significant amount of gas being burned in the energy system, perhaps half the current levels by 2050.

 

"But if we stick to carbon targets and don't have CCS you are down to the 10% level compared to current gas demand by 2050."