Gas still matters. That’s the message from James Earl, CEO of Future Energy Networks, who joined me for this week’s Net Hero Podcast to make the case for keeping gas – in all its forms – at the heart of the UK’s energy future.
James said: “I can’t see a future without gas in it. You’re going to need gas definitely for some industrial applications where you need real high-temperature heat, and also for storage to manage the times when the wind doesn’t blow and the sun doesn’t shine.”
But he was clear this isn’t just about fossil fuels.
“We have to define what we mean by gas. It’s not just fossil methane. It can be biomethane, hydrogen, or fossil gas with carbon capture. I see gas as a collection of different things.”
Future Energy Networks (FEN) was set up to represent both transmission and distribution gas networks and to help guide energy policy with evidence-based research.
Mr Earl stressed that our gas grid is already transitioning. “We’ve got modern plastic pipes in the ground now, replacing metal ones, which means we’re already hydrogen-ready in many parts of the network.”
He also highlighted the existing role of biomethane: “We already have enough biomethane in the network to heat the equivalent of a million homes, yet no one seems to know about it.”
On affordability, he said using gas infrastructure to carry greener gases “helps avoid unnecessary costs” and keeps options open for consumers and businesses alike.
As for the future? “We’re very much part of the transition. Gas, in various forms, will remain a critical part of the mix long after 2050.”
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