Britain heads into winter with record low gas stores as Centrica boss warns country has 'almost no gas in storage'

Chris O'Shea, head of Centrica — which owns British Gas and runs the UK's largest storage facility — has warned that Britain has "almost no gas in storage" for the coming winter, calling it a "huge concern" because "energy security is national security." Gas stores stand at just 30 per cent capacity, down from 46 per cent this time last year and 90 per cent two years ago — the lowest level since records began. Energy prices are already due to rise 4 per cent from October, with further increases expected if the Iran war and Hormuz closure continue. Centrica is ready to invest £2bn to redevelop the Rough storage facility but says government guarantees on prices are needed before time runs out.

Rationing and workplace closures are among the scenarios authorities will test this autumn as worst-case contingency planning.

Centrica warns its Rough facility — which holds half the UK's total storage capacity — will close next year without direct government intervention.

Norway, the UK's biggest gas supplier, says Arctic drilling must continue, but forecasts warn its production will slow after 2030 unless new fields are found.