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British Gas-owner Centrica reopened the site called Rough, in the North Sea, with 20 per cent of its previous capacity. It will be the UK’s largest gas storage site and will add about 50 per cent amount kept in reserve.
The energy firm said the site would allow for “cheaper gas” to be stored for the colder months and help “reduce or stabilise costs” for households.
Business and Energy Secretary Grant Shapps called the reopening “brilliant news”. He said: “This additional capacity strengthens UK energy security and means we can stand up to Putin’s manipulation of global gas supplies.”
The site closed in 2017 because Centrica decided it did not make sense to pay for costly repairs. The firm changed plans when gas prices soared and supplies from Russia to Europe fell amid the Ukraine war.
Centrica boss Chris O’Shea said: “I’m delighted we have managed to return Rough to storage operations for this winter following a substantial investment. We think Rough can help by storing natural gas when there is a surplus and producing this gas when the country needs it during cold snaps and peak demand.
“Rough is not a silver bullet for energy security, but is a key part of steps to help the UK this winter.”
Gas-fired power stations generate up to 60 per cent of the UK’s electricity.
But the UK has poor gas storage with enough for nine days’ use, compared to 89 days in Germany and 103 days in France.
National Grid has sid gas shortages could cause rolling electricity blackouts but insisted they are unlikely.
Mr O’Shea added: “Our long-term aim is to turn the Rough field into the world’s biggest methane and hydrogen storage facility.”
He said the company aims to bolster the UK’s energy security, deliver a net zero electricity system by 2035, decarbonise industrial clusters and help the UK economy by returning to being a net exporter of energy.
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