General – Storage Capacity UK
Centrica said on Friday it had increased storage capacity at the UK’s largest gas storage facility to 54 billion cubic feet (bcf) to help boost resilience next winter, warning gas markets remain volatile.
Closed in 2017, the Rough site was partially reopened last year, when it was able to store around 30 bcf of gas.
Rough, situated in the North Sea 18 miles (29 km) off the coast of East Yorkshire, will now be able to hold enough gas for six days of average demand and 3.5 days of peak winter demand.
The facility currently provides half of the UK’s total gas storage, though UK storage capacity lags that of most other European countries, Centrica said.
“Rough can help our energy system by storing natural gas when there is a surplus and producing this gas when the country needs it during cold snaps and peak demand,” Centrica CEO Chris O’Shea said.
By helping to balance Britain’s gas market, the storage site will help keep prices down for consumers, he added.
