He continued;

“National Grid’s warning highlights the importance of decarbonising gas to relieve pressure on the grid. Decarbonisation of heat is central to our future climate change obligations. Because of its existing reach (over 80 per cent of homes), cost efficiency and ability to store energy – using the gas grid is key.

Industry is already working on ‘green gas’ solutions, including BioSNG, but they need DECC’s buy-in to encourage investment and the wider debate about planning for our future energy needs, in a decarbonised world, and using the UK’s hidden asset – its gas grid.

Today’s announcement also further invalidates DECC’s ‘all electric’ heating scenario. If the grid is struggling with the current electricity demand, moving 80 per cent of UK homes from gas to electric heating is unrealistic- but we knew that.”