Winter power shortages loom

The government gave a warning today that Britain was heading into another winter of potential power shortages as one household gas supplier announced a record 30% increase in prices.

The energy minister, Malcolm Wicks, said rising demand and plunging output from North Sea fields cancelled out the benefits of new gas pipelines from Norway and the Netherlands.

“It’s not going to be the easiest of winters and we need to manage this with care and make sure we get it right,” said Mr Wicks from the sidelines of an energy industry conference in Norway. “It’s looking the same as the last two or three years.”

Guardian