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

Gas Storage

Question: The Secretary of State will be well aware of the major contribution, certainly over the past few months, of the two LNG import terminals in Pembrokeshire and the Isle Of Grain in Kent. Up to 27 per cent. of annual consumption is provided through those terminals. Bearing in mind the future reduction of North sea capacity, and the possible risks of the continental connection, will the Secretary of State talk to the Crown Estate, with which the UK gas storage association is having major difficulties in reaching agreement about offshore storage?

Answer: My hon. Friend has made two important points. The first was about LNG facilities. I can tell him that the LNG facility at Milford Haven, which was not in operation last year, currently meets about 10 per cent. of total UK gas demand. That is one of the ways we are meeting our gas needs as the supply from the North sea declines. As for my hon. Friend's second point, although the Crown Estate is independent from Government, we continue to think about the issues involved. The recent licensing of the Gateway project suggests that they can be dealt with.

Secondary information