Shale gas unlikely to be the solution to the UK's future energy needs

Over recent years the UK has become ever more dependent on the import of gas to supply our energy needs, presenting risks for our future energy security.


In a presentation to the annual international conference of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) in Edinburgh on 3 July 2012, Professor Mike Bradshaw, Department of Geography, University of Leicester, argued that a ‘perfect storm' of multiple failures is developing around UK energy policy.

Commenting on his research Bradshaw said: "There is a high degree of risk and uncertainty associated with every element of the UK's energy strategy - whether that's energy efficiency, renewable energy, or carbon capture and storage. Coming together these could result into an ever greater reliance of gas, at a time when its price is likely to increase because of growing demand from countries including China and India."

Some commentators present shale gas extraction as the solution to these future gas and energy security issues. Yet, Bradshaw does not agree, commenting that significant levels of exploitation are unlikely for many years, due to substantial logistical and environmental challenges.

"Shale gas is unlikely to be a game-changer in the UK" concluded Bradshaw.