UK

Changing roles from exporter to importer, the UK is expected to be a net gas importer by 2006 and by 2020, 80% of the UK's gas will be imported. In line with these predictions, Britain has signed a Treaty with Norway to import gas from Scandinavia with shipments to the storage plant on the Isle of Grain in Kent, a site which has been encouraged to multiply its capacity from its current 3.3 million tonnes a year to 9.8 million by 2008. National Grid Transco (NGT) took steps earlier this year towards strengthening Britain's fragile energy supply status with a GBP 355 million plan to triple the capacity of its first LNG terminal in a bid to bridge the gap between rising demand for gas and falling supply from the North Sea. By 2007, two new LNG terminals will be up and running in Milford Haven off the Welsh coast. Gas-fired plants account for almost 30% of the UK's electricity generation. Gas consumption has grown by two thirds in the decade from 1992 and NGT predicts a further 14% increase between 2002 and 2011. By 2010, LNG may viably account for a quarter of UK gas supplies and up to 40% by 2015. By 2007, the new Norwegian Langeled pipeline will be able to supply 20% of the UK's gas consumption, compared with 15% last year.