Britain could stop gas supplies to the EU as part of an emergency plan. The closure of the pipelines in The Netherlands Y to Belgiumthe so-called interconnectors, would be one of the first measures of the four-stage gas emergency plan, reports the “Financial Times” (FOOT).

The two subsea pipelines linking the UK with Belgium and the Netherlands have been at full capacity since March. They export 75 million cubic meters of gas to continental Europe every day, reports the Reuters news agency, citing National Grid, the operator of the country’s gas and power grids.

The reason for gas exports: While the UK has plenty of gas, including imported shipments of liquefied natural gas (LNG), it has minimal domestic storage capacity. In the summer, therefore, the excess supply to Europe managed. In very cold winter periods, the island obtains gas from the mainland. In 2018, according to FT, 20 to 25 percent of the total demand was covered through the pipelines of EU countries.

Contingency plan: Britain could turn off the EU’s gas tap

European gas companies warn that the UK lockdown could backfire. Bart Jan Hoevers, president of the European Network of Gas Transmission System Operators, told the FT: “I would like to [dem Vereinigten Königreich] I definitely recommend reconsidering the disconnect. Because while it’s beneficial for the Continent in the summer, it’s also beneficial for the UK in the winter.”

The British government appeased. A gas supply emergency is an “extremely unlikely” scenario. “Our priority is to continue working with our EU partners and allies to end reliance on Russian oil and gas,” a government spokeswoman told the FT. And further: “All countries have such [Notfall-]Plans, and there is nothing to indicate that these emergency procedures are necessary now.” As a reminder, level 2 escalation of the gas emergency plan was recently declared in Germany.

Gas imports from Britain: less than 4 percent from Russia

Unlike Germany and other European countries, Britain is only indirectly dependent on Russian gas supplies. Imports accounted for less than 4 percent of gas supply in 2021 from Russia. The country can cover around half of its needs with its own sources. Another third receives British from Norway. The rest of the demand is covered with liquefied gas from Qatar and the US The storage problem remains.

Therefore, in addition to the emergency plan, other measures are being introduced. For example, the Rough depot off the Yorkshire coast, which closed in 2017, will be brought back into operation. New nuclear power plants and wind farms will also be built.

The gas emergency plan will undergo a stress test in September. National Grid said the plan will be tested annually. This year also taking into account the restricted imports of gas from Russia to Europe.