According to National Gas, the gas transmission system operator, only about 6,700 GWh of gas are in storage at the beginning of March 2026. This is equivalent to approximately 1.5 to 2 days of winter consumption under normal demand. A year ago, at the same date, reserves stood at approximately 18,000 GWh, and the maximum capacity of UK underground storage facilities previously allowed for 12 days of reserves.
Currently, the storage capacity is only ~18% of its previous capacity. Approximately the same volume is stored as liquefied natural gas (LNG), but this does not change the overall vulnerability.
The situation has been dramatically exacerbated by the conflict in the Middle East: following strikes on key facilities in Qatar (including the largest complex, Ras Laffan) and disruptions to tanker transit through the Strait of Hormuz, a significant portion of LNG flows is being redirected to Asia. The UK, which is heavily dependent on imports (primarily from Norway and LNG), is among the hardest-hit countries in Europe.
UK gas futures have soared to their highest since 2023 in recent days—the country is already paying the highest gas prices in Europe. Analysts note that due to minimal reserves, traders are demanding a significant premium for deliveries to the UK.
The government and National Gas are attempting to reassure the public, stating that “stock levels are within expectations for this period of the year” and “comparable to last year.” The Department for Energy Security and Zero Emissions has explicitly dismissed the claim of “two days of gas” as categorically incorrect, emphasizing that the country continues to receive gas through pipelines and LNG terminals in real time.
However, experts and media outlets agree: if the situation in the Middle East continues to escalate or if cold weather persists in April, the UK could face a real shortage and a sharp rise in heating bills—a possible spike to £1,800 per year for the average household is already being predicted.
Many politicians and industry experts have long warned that, following the closure of a number of storage facilities in previous years, the country has lost a vital safety buffer—unlike Germany or France, where reserves are designed to last 90–100+ days of consumption.