Panel fails to recommend changes to GB Gas Day

A panel of British gas industry representatives has voted against a proposal to change the timings of Britain’s Gas Day.

The panel, which was formed in part by gas transporter and shipper representatives, noted the “disparate views” of industry participants on whether the changes need to be made.

The proposed changes to Britain’s Gas Day would move it from 06:00-06:00 London time to 05:00-05:00, and if implemented are expected to incur upstream costs of between £40m-50m (€48m-60m), according to early estimates.

The panel’s decision will be welcome news to those who opposed the changes to the Gas Day. In a recent consultation of the 18 respondents, nine supported the proposal while six opposed it. The other two respondents offered qualified support.

Questions were raised over whether the timings even had to change under EU codes ( see ESGM 21 February ).

The panel said: “Some members felt that the issues raised were for Ofgem and [the Department of Energy and Climate Change] DECC to resolve, particularly the upstream and legal aspects relating to whether this change was actually necessary.”

The panel added that it has urged the relevant authorities to consider the issues raised in representations from industry participants before making a decision.

Despite the panel’s decision not to recommend the proposal, Ofgem still has the option to implement.

At the time of press, the regulator was unavailable for comment. Jack Elliott