The UK will rely heavily on gas for its electricity and heat needs for many more years and there has been much recent discussion over the the potential role of shale gas. While there remain many uncertainties over the role that shale gas can play, ICE is of the view that:
- Shale gas represents a promising additional source of energy that should be further investigated within an enhanced regulatory framework
- Gas is an acceptable alternative to coal for baseload generation in the short-medium term but Government should pursue lower carbon solutions, moving unabated gas generation towards only back-up and peaking roles
- Lower gas prices should not tempt Government to reduce its focus on decarbonising the UK’s energy supply and demand management.
- Capture and storage (CCS) could be a ‘game changing’ technology. Government should redouble its efforts to support the development of commercially-viable, large scale carbon CCS technology
- Government should promote these energy positions internationally, particularly with regard to future climate change agreements.
ICE will revisit its policy position on shale gas to reflect developments in knowledge.
For more information, please contact Duncan Neish (duncan.neish@ice.org.uk)
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