Future cheap energy prices threatened by low gas supplies - 06/03/2009
Cheaper rates from energy suppliers may have been threatened by low gas supplies during February's freezing weather conditions, reports the Daily Mail.
Britain has among the smallest gas storage capacity in Europe and reserves fell to within just over four days of running out as a result of February's sub-zero weather conditions.
The Conservatives have said that only the recession prevented a national crisis as many businesses have been forced to reduce their energy consumption to save money.
According to the paper, Conservative energy spokesman Greg Clark told the Commons: "For the second time in only four winters we almost ran out of gas sufficient to meet our demand. In fact only the depressed state of the economy because of the recession saved us from running out."
Mike O'Brien, the energy minister, said that plenty of gas is imported from Norway, while reserves in the North Sea mean the UK needs less gas storage than other European countries.
The government was criticised recently for exporting UK gas reserves during the supply crisis between Russia and Ukraine.
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