As of January 9, 2025, stocks at UK sites were approximately half full, 26% lower than the same period last year. “This means that the UK has less than a week of gas reserves in reserve,” warns the company.
Norway: gas production hits record in 2024
Due to the early onset of winter, gas reserves were already lower than usual in December, and due to high prices, Centrica says it found it more difficult to replenish reserves over the Christmas period .
The situation is similar to that observed in the EU, where gas reserves are on average around 68%, significantly lower than the 83% observed a year earlier, according to the European Agregated Gas Storage Inventory (AGSI) platform. .
“The total gas storage capacity of the United Kingdom is around 10% less than that of France, Germany or the Netherlands,” points out Centrica.
The United Kingdom relies heavily on imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG), especially from the United States, and “the United Kingdom competes directly with other countries, notably in Asia and Europe” for these cargoes, according to the operator.
-However, the United Kingdom is not on the verge of a breakdown, the government assured Friday.
Belgium consumed less gas in 2024
“We are confident that we will have sufficient gas supplies and electricity capacity to meet demand this winter, thanks to our diverse and resilient energy system,” according to a Downing Street spokesperson.
The price of European gas had exceeded, on January 31, the mark of 50 euros per megawatt hour, a first in more than a year, driven in particular by the expiration of a transit agreement between Ukraine and Russia, but also cold temperatures.
It has since declined slightly and was moving on Friday around 1:15 p.m. GMT, down almost 3% to around 44 euros per megawatt hour.
