National Grid extends annual gas shortage drill amid winter supply fears

In a shortage, National Grid would try to maintain supplies ‘as long as possible’ to households that rely on gas for cooking and heating. Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA

The National Grid has doubled the length of its annual emergency gas shortage drill from two to four days as the energy industry braces for supplies to potentially run out over the winter.

Gas prices have rocketed in recent months amid the recovery from coronavirus lockdowns and as Russia has sought to use its control of gas supplies to Europe as leverage amid its economic and diplomatic isolation since its invasion of Ukraine.