Although Ofgem has presented some encouraging findings in its National Grid final report on energy supplies for the coming winter, the UK energy regulator has warned the industry not to be complacent as further hurdles may lie ahead.
The new Langeled pipeline, from Norway to the UK, and the upgrade to the existing Belgium Interconnector are reported to be ready ahead of schedule for this winter, and Centrica’s Rough storage facility is also scheduled to be full ahead of the winter.
These are encouraging findings, especially considering there has been much uncertainty as to whether the new infrastructure projects would be ready in time, not to mention problems with the Rough facility following a fire back in February.
However, Ofgem chief executive Alistair Buchanan said that, while there is more room to be confident about this winter’s energy supplies now, suppliers and consumers should not become complacent as it remains to be seen whether both the existing and new links with mainland Europe will be fully utilized, and how cold the winter will prove. While there is no doubt the gas supply situation has improved, industry needs to prepare cautiously for this winter, he stated.
The watchdog also said that it is still concerned about the lack of information on how much gas will flow into the UK this winter from continental Europe.