Wales urged to examine shale gas opportunities

A new report from the Welsh Affairs Committee has urged both the UK and Welsh governments to work with firms to estimate how much shale gas is available in the country.

The committee said that as shale gas production throughout the UK is at the exploratory stage, it may take ten years to create a viable industry in Wales if substantial reserves were identified.

Although the committee said that shale gas offers potential benefits, fracking must not come at the expense of the natural environment. Environmental risks include the traffic and noise created by commercial shale gas operations as well as the visual impact and other risks associated with fracking.

The report urged the Welsh Government to consider how to maximise job opportunities and minimise ground-level works in sensitive areas like areas of outstanding natural beauty, sites of special scientific interest and national parks.

Welsh Affairs Committee chairman David Davies said that shale gas offers potential benefits for Wales, in terms of energy supply, the economy and employment.

"We know there is some environmental risk: the UK and Welsh Governments must demonstrate that everything has been done to assess and mitigate that risk, both to the environment and Welsh people’s enjoyment of it, before we move forward and maximise the benefits for Wales," Davies added.

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Image: The UK government estimates that around 70% of the country’s gas supply will come from imports by 2025. Photo: courtesy of the UK Parliament.