The UK may run out of gas supplies for the upcoming winter if Centrica Plc doesn't begin replenishing the largest gas storage facility in the North Sea.

According to UK grid statistics provided by Bloomberg, the business typically begins injecting fuel into the Rough plant by this time of year, ready for next winter. The property is outdated, in need of renovation, and running at a reduced capacity. Centrica says that makes it unprofitable.

Concerns over the future of Rough, which partially resumed operations in 2022 after the loss of Russian gas supplies drove European prices to all-time highs, coincide with Centrica's decision to not begin replenishing inventories. In February, Chris O'Shea, the CEO of Centrica, pledged to provide an update on the operation in the upcoming months. When asked about its intentions for Rough on Monday, the firm declined to speak further.

British Gas's owner has stated that it could spend £2 billion to adapt the plant to include hydrogen, but it is requesting government assistance in the form of a price ceiling and floor mechanism. Before deciding to shut the plant in 2017, Centrica had already applied for government assistance for Rough. As of right present, gas is still being extracted from the plant off the east coast of England.

The UK would be more vulnerable to fluctuations in global prices and LNG imports if Rough were to close. Currently, the plant has enough gas storage space for little under four peak winter days or six days of typical demand.