CBBC
CBBC Newsround
Gas provides 40% of the UK's power*
Gas ring on cooker
What is it?
Natural gas is formed by the decay of plants and animals. Gas from living things that died millions of years ago gets trapped between seams of rock under the earth's surface. Pipes are sunk into the ground to release this gas, which is often used in houses for heating and cooking.
Strengths
The UK has its own supply of gas underneath the North Sea. It's reliable and releases less of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide than coal. Gas was very cheap in the 1990s so the UK has been using more of it.
Weaknesses
Natural gas is a non-renewable fossil fuel. Burning it produces lots of carbon dioxide. The UK's own gas fields are running out so we will have to rely more on imported gas. That means we will have less control over the price and availability.
The future
The UK currently uses more gas than it can produce. Our use of gas is expected to continue, so imports will increase.
* Based on Department of Trade and Industry 2004/2005 figures. The exact proportions change seasonally.
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