Midstream gas system: update to the market
This update sets out challenges facing the gas system during the transitional period and government plans for future engagement on these issues.
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
Documents
Details
This update sets out how the government is planning for the future of the gas system in Great Britain, as part of the UK’s transition to a secure, affordable, and net zero energy system.
Gas continues to play a vital role in the UK’s energy mix—providing heat for homes, fuel for industry, and flexibility for electricity generation. However, as the UK accelerates its shift to clean energy, the role of gas is changing. This update outlines the government’s understanding of the challenges and opportunities ahead, and the steps being taken to manage the transition in a way that is fair, resilient, and cost-effective.
The document identifies three key challenges for the gas system, which the government will be considering over the months and years ahead:
- ensuring resilience of gas supply and infrastructure as UKCS production declines and reliance on other forms of supply increases
- balancing infrastructure investment and affordability to maintain a safe and reliable network while protecting consumers from spikes in bills
- in the longer term, managing a planned and orderly operational transition as parts of the gas network are repurposed or decommissioned
There will be various opportunities to support and feed into this programme of work in the coming months, including:
- a consultation on gas system resilience in autumn 2025
- a call for evidence on network investment and cost recovery in late 2025
- a call for evidence on the operational transition of the gas system in 2026
This is the first major publication on the gas system in many years and marks the beginning of a wider programme of engagement with industry, consumers, and stakeholders.