Energy Security: Gas Production

Lord Stephen Excerpts
Tuesday 17th April 2018

(6 years, 6 months ago)

Lords Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Lord Stephen Portrait Lord Stephen (LD)
- Hansard - -

My Lords—

Earl Howe Portrait The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Earl Howe) (Con)
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My Lords, it is the turn of the Liberal Democrat Benches.

Lord Stephen Portrait Lord Stephen
- Hansard - -

My Lords, I first declare my interest in renewable energy, as declared in the register of interests. Can I return to the issue of gas storage and storage in general? Given in particular the current international uncertainties and the severe—some would say critical—shortages of gas that have occurred over recent years, should the Government not be doing more to review the situation in relation not only to gas storage but to battery and hydro storage? These are crucial issues that require the Government’s greater attention.

Lord Henley Portrait Lord Henley
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My Lords, I will stick to gas at the moment, but I believe that we are doing everything necessary on this front. In October 2017, we published Gas Security of Supply: Strategic Assessment and Review. That work looked closely at our gas security over the next 20 years and concluded that the United Kingdom’s system was robust.