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UK May Need More Storage Facilities As Fracking Ban Lifted


The question of how to deal with the energy crisis caused by the war between Russia and Ukraine and the subsequent squeeze on the supply of gas has led to plenty of solutions being suggested, as well as some U-turns in policy.

Among these has been a decision by the UK to seek to source more gas from its own territory including the North Sea, as well as the reopening of the mothballed Rough Storage Facility by Centrica.

While this move will increase storage capacity in the coming winter and beyond, more may be needed as Britain looks to source more gas domestically in the near term while focusing on nuclear and renewables for a larger proportion of long-term energy generation. Extra storage facilities may be needed to make this effective, along with their comment parts such as tank gauging systems.

The latest and perhaps most controversial announcement on this matter concerns the decision by new prime minister Liz Truss to lift the ban on fracking put in place by her predecessor Boris Johnson.

Proponents argue shale gas offers a new source of energy for the UK, while opponents claim it causes environmental damage and perpetuates an approach of seeking energy solutions through fossil fuels. Much of the concern centres on earth tremors that the process of hydraulically fracturing rock can cause, although these are minor. 

The plans will not apply across the whole UK, with the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales stating they will continue to refuse to issue fracking licences, while the opposition has said it will hamper efforts to achieve net zero carbon targets.

Levelling up secretary Simon Clarke said the decision was being made as a “pragmatic” move, telling the BBC: “With Putin weaponising gas supplies, we need as much in the near term, that we can get."

Nonetheless, the un-banning of fracking is still sure to face significant opposition from campaigners. The CPRE has dubbed the move “a hideous mistake”, while Friends of the Earth said fracking and handing out new North Sea oil and gas licences would “do nothing to tackle the root cause of the energy crisis”.