Britain will start to run out of gas within days if the country suffers another cold snap this week, leading to widespread shutdown of industry and soaring energy prices for consumers.
The UK's small gas storage facilities have been severely depleted over the past month, as consumers have turned up their central heating to combat freezing temperatures. The UK relies on strategic reserves of gas at times of very cold weather as the diminishing supply from the North Sea can no longer meet demand.
The supply situation is now so critical that National Grid Transco, the company that distributes gas throughout the UK, is prepared to cut off gas from industrial users to preserve supplies for domestic users if the weather deteriorates.
A spokesman for the company admitted: "If we get a further prolonged cold snap steps may have to be taken."
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