UK Power Runs on Gas as Cold Returns

UK power plants were running on natural gas for 51% of their output, taking at a rate of 94.3mn m³/day from the national gas transmission system. Wind dropped below 2% of the 41 GW of national power demand midday March 2, according to Gridwatch data. Nuclear was 9.3%, biomass 9% and coal 6% of the mix. Imports and solar made up the balance.

Demand was not as high as it had been in February, as temperatures remain comfortably above zero. Local distribution zones were down to 238mn m³/d, and exports to the continent were running at 19.5mn m³/d. Most of the gas was coming in from Norway: 74mn m³/day alone through the Langeled line, delivering Ormen Lange gas. The next biggest source by volume was LNG from Milford Haven in the west of the UK with 59mn m³/d and Isle of Grain in the east adding 15mn m³; then St Fergus, in Scotland, with 49mn m³ across the three sites.