Business minister Kwasi Kwarteng said he had been reassured that the security of gas supply was not a cause for immediate concern but he would work with providers to “manage the wider implications of the global gas price increase”. The BBC reported that at least four small British energy companies were expected to go bust next week. “Protecting customers during a time of heightened global gas prices is an absolute priority,” he said on Twitter. RENEWABLESThe government has been moved to act after low gas storage levels, decreased supplies from Russia, demand from Asia, low renewables output and nuclear maintenance outages combined to more than triple European gas prices this year, hitting record highs. Richard Walker, managing director of Iceland Foods, said a CO2 shortage would hit meat products, atmospheric packaged products such as cheese and salads, and long life bakery items.

Source: MetroXpress September 18, 2021 11:37 UTC