Written question asked by David Stewart (Labour) on Monday, 29 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 7 December 2004. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 December 2004 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment she has made of the possibility of electricity blackouts due to a lack of gas this winter. - (Holding answer 2 December 2004).

Answer: Mr. David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the possibility of electricity blackouts due to a lack of gas this winter. [201589] Mr. Mike O'Brien :[holding answer 2 December 2004]: Gas supplies are likely to be tighter this winter than in previous years. This is mainly due to the long-term decline of production from the North sea. However, National Grid Transco's assessment in their "Winter Outlook Report" published by Ofgem on 20 October, is that supplies of gas, including for electricity generation, can be maintained from the UK Continental Shelf, gas imports, storage and demand management where necessary, even in a winter of a severity expected only once every 50 years.

Secondary information