To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether his Department has assessed the possibility of measuring supply-demand balance in millions of cubic metres per day. (78520)

The Department generally assesses supply and demand in terms of the energy content of gas (GWh), as this is what is important for ensuring that supply and demand are balanced. However, an analysis of the projected supplies and demand in million cubic metres per day for winters up to 2024-25 can be found in the sixth report of the Joint Energy Security of Supply Working Group (JESS) (http://www.dti.gov.uk/files/file28800.pdf?pubpdfdload=06% F331). For information concerning the forthcoming winter, an analysis of the supply-demand balance in millions of cubic metres can be found in National Grid’s Winter Outlook consultation document, available at:

http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/temp/ofgem/cache/cmsattach/15058 _8406b.pdf

In addition, daily assessments of supply and demand, displayed in millions of cubic metres per day, can be found on the National Grid website at:

http://www.nationalgrid.com/uk/Gas/Data/DSR