Call to declare emergency as Britain faces energy crisis

London, 18 November -- Net Zero Watch has called on Boris Johnson to declare an energy emergency.

The announcement comes as fears grow over a looming energy and energy security crisis, with spiralling prices hitting industry and consumers hard, and some security analysts warning that it will be necessary to shut down large manufacturing businesses over the winter.
 
Net Zero Watch director Dr Benny Peiser said:

We have only one way out in the short term, and that's for Britain to start using the UK's massive gas resources. Households and businesses are being hit hard by high gas prices, and the only way to reduce them is to develop our domestic supply. What is worse, electricity  prices are set by the gas price, so consumers have a double whammy. And high energy prices are driving up inflation, so in reality it's a triple whammy."

The British Geological Survey estimates that the total volume of shale gas in the Bowland basin is between 820 and 2200 trillion cubic feet, with a central estimate of some 1300 trillion cubic feet. It is estimated that if 25 trillion cubic feet of this huge resource could be recovered it would be worth £625 billion at current gas prices.
 
Net Zero Watch says that the government needs to reverse course on its energy policy as a matter of urgency, and put energy costs and security of supply at the centre of national security. Dr Peiser said:

A secure domestic energy supply is vital. That means treating Britain's shale gas resources and its exploration as national security and infrastructure asset."

"Even if the shale gas moratorium was lifted tomorrow, it would take at least 12 months to get the gas flowing. But the Government needs to take strong steps now, in order to send out a clear signal to investors. Otherwise the energy and cost of living crises will become permanent, posing an existential threat to this government."