An uncertain future for U.K. Electricity?

This paper presents an appraisal of the future prospects for UK electricity supply if policies outlined in the UK government´s 2003 white paper are pursued. A low carbon policy affects the choice of future power generation plant. Decline in indigenous UK gas and oil means that up to 80% of gas will need to be imported within 20 years and much of it will be used to generate electricity. The author concludes that the likely future generation plant mix resulting from current policy and decreasing plant margin leaves the UK vulnerable to electricity scarcity resulting from uncertainties in gas imports and dependence on wind power, unless policy is changed