§ Mr. GroganTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage loss of gas supply(a) during a 1 in 20 peak demand and (b) during an average peak demand on the gas system in (i) winter 2001–02 and (ii) winter 2005–06 would trigger emergency measures under the Emergency Powers Act 1920 or Energy Act 1976. [22340]
§ Mr. WilsonIt is not possible to define when such measures might be triggered. Losses of supply can occur at any time and not just in periods of peak demand. 109W Transco (who manage the National Gas Transmission System) are already empowered to take significant steps to mitigate against losses of supply. These are set out in Transco's Network Gas Supply Emergency Procedures which are tested regularly. I have arranged for copies of the procedures to be placed in the Libraries of the House.
If the situation arose, it is likely that the powers contained in the Energy Act 1976 would be sufficient to handle a gas supply emergency.
§ Mr. GroganTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what contingency planning her Department undertakes with(a) the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets, (b) Transco, (c) the National Grid Company and (d) the Health and Safety Executive to prepare for disruption to supplies of gas; and if she will make a statement. [22342]
§ Mr. WilsonWe have set up the Gas Industry Emergency Committee. Its membership includes Ofgem, Transco, NGC, HSE and many others from throughout the supply chain. It assesses the risks of new and emerging developments that could lead to large-scale gas supply failures. Its aim is to ensure that in the event of a gas supply emergency, contingency plans are in place to ensure the rapid and safe restoration of supplies to consumers.
These contingency plans have been tested in various exercises in recent months. Further tests are planned for the future to ensure that they are kept up-to-date and are fit for the purpose.
§ Mr. GroganTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the emergency gas stockholding capacity is in days of use at full levels of generation for each of the combined cycle gas turbine power stations commissioned since 1990. [22341]
§ Mr. WilsonCombined cycle gas turbine power stations do not hold emergency stocks of gas, nor are emergency stocks of gas specifically held as part of the UK gas transmission system for these generators. Where a gas facility is dual fired, power stations usually hold stocks of their alternative fuel—predominantly coal or oil products. Some gas is stored, but this tends to be at the extremities of the transmission system in facilities such as salt cavities' offshore fields or as liquefied natural gas.
Some liquefied natural gas is held by Transco to cope with system emergencies. The remainder is used to help maintain the overall balance within the gas transmission system between supply and demand for gas. The stored gas tends to be used during periods of peak demand (e.g. winter months) and to meet shortfalls of gas supplies at other times during the year. Combined cycle gas stations compete for any gas coming from storage along with other gas users.