UK faces ‘significant risk’ of gas shortages

The UK faces a “significant risk” of gas shortages and a potential emergency, given conflicts in Ukraine and limited supplies in Europe, the country’s energy regulator Ofgem said.

“This winter will be more challenging than previous winters due to Russia’s disruption of gas supplies to Europe,” Ofgem said. “We have to be prepared for all situations this winter.” Contingency measures are being considered by the company to ensure the UK power system is fully prepared.

Gas-fired power plants accounted for more than 40% of the country’s electricity generation last year, while fossil fuels are used to heat 80% of British homes.

Europe in gas shortage

The energy crisis facing Europe Reaching out to big companies Its matrix is ​​the use of energy in production.

For example, in France, the factory Arc International, The world’s largest manufacturer of glass tableware is a major employer in the northern part of the country.

However, the impact of a sudden interruption in gas supplies from Russia to Europe presented new risks to the company.

Recently, a third of Arc’s 4,500 employees were laid off. Four of the plant’s nine reactors will remain idle while others will start running on diesel, a cheaper but more polluting fuel.

“It’s the most dramatic situation we’ve ever encountered. It’s impossible for a high-energy company like ours,” the company’s CEO, Nicolas Hodler, told the newspaper. The New York Times.