Britain 'will be well supplied with gas over winter'

Britain will be well supplied with gas for the winter - with additional power available over what is needed to meet demand, a new report has shown.

National Grid said spare capacity for the winter would be 5.5%, slightly more than last year's 5.1%.

In its annual winter consultation, the Grid - which owns and manages gas and electricity networks that connect homes and business to energy - said margins will be similar to its forecast for last winter.

Cordi O'Hara, director of UK System Operations, said: "The surplus margin for this winter is 5.5%. This is the additional power we expect to have available over and above what is needed to meet electricity demand.

"We believe the margin is manageable and that we have the right tools and services available, including extra power we can call on if we need it, for times of highest demand.

"We expect there to be sufficient gas supplies available to meet demand which will be met from a wide range of supply sources."

National Grid said it was confident it had taken steps to support the operation of the country's electricity system while continuing to ensure value for money for consumers.

Electricity margins will be "tight but manageable" for the winter, said the report.

A fall in coal capacity is assumed, mostly offset by increases in gas and wind generation, according to National Grid.