Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Andrew MacKay (Conservative). It was answered by Ed Miliband (Labour) on Thursday, 25 February 2010 on behalf of the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

Gas Storage

Question: How much additional gas storage capacity he expects to become available in the UK by 2012.

Answer: National Grid's recent "Ten Year Statement 2009" expects just over 0.5 billion cubic metres of additional gas storage capacity to be commissioned by 2011-12, or an addition of more than 10 per cent. to capacity, including Aldbrough, which will be the second largest facility in the country. In addition, 20 other projects are planned for completion beyond that date, including the Gateway project, which will provide 1.5 billion cubic metres of extra capacity by 2014. That storage capacity is on top of the increase in import capacity in recent years, representing 125 per cent. of annual demand.

Secondary information