The trade union for energy workers has expressed concern over Centrica’s decision to close the UK’s largest gas storage plant.
The company announced its intention to close the Rough plant on Tuesday this week.
GMB national officer for energy Stuart Fegan said that the plans would put the country’s energy supply at risk.
He said: “The proposed closure of the Centrica gas storage facility at Rough in Yorkshire further demonstrates what GMB has been saying for years.
“We need to secure the UK’s gas powered energy supply – which provides 85% of heat to our homes.
“An announcement by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to invest £25m into two projects to test whether hydrogen can help meet our carbon commitments under the Paris Treaty is welcome.
“But in the real world gas is going to be needed to heat our homes whilst we transition to a low carbon economy.”
The facility, in Yorkshire, can hold up to nine days’ worth of gas and opened in 1985.
It will be closed down in the next four or five years, when its current reserves run out.
