Because the site could be adapted to store hydrogen, a ‘clean’ gas, in the future, it could also play a part in the transition to Net Zero, the union said.
Gas storage isn’t just a problem for Britain.
Historically, the country has relied less on storage because of the North Sea, which still provides more than a third of domestic demand. European countries stock far more.
But storage levels across Europe are also low as winter approaches.
This is because of increased competition for gas as a result of the Iran war. Analysts have warned this could mean a year of high prices, even if the Middle East conflict calms.
Earlier this week, defence minister Luke Pollard said that Rough “is not something that the Government is choosing to invest in”.
He told the BBC’s Radio 4: “This is a very clear commercial decision for the company.
“The steps that we’re taking as a Government are to come off the fossil fuel roller-coaster with more investment in renewables.”
But Mr O’Shea has insisted: “The future of Rough is too important to the UK to be dismissed as simply a ‘commercial decision’.”
The Government has already launched a consultation on gas security and has said it intends to explore commercial support for the sector, including storage.
A spokesman for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: “UK gas supply is diverse and highly resilient. Gas storage was only 5 per cent of our supply last winter. We have plans in place to maintain our energy security, whilst ensuring value for money for consumers and continuing the transition to clean power.”
