What happens during a Gas Deficit Emergency and how can it affect consumers?

In the unlikely event of the UK gas system being unable to balance (i.e. where there is more gas leaving the gas pipeline system than entering the gas pipeline system) due to a critical loss of supply, for example because of damage to essential infrastructure such as a North Sea gas import terminal, then the grid operator National Grid may declare a Network Gas Supply Emergency (a Gas Deficit Emergency). During the Gas Deficit Emergency a National Executive Committee (NEC) delegated by National Grid will take steps to bring the UK gas system into balance. These steps will include maximising other gas supply sources. If these steps prove to be inadequate in bringing the gas system into balance then the NEC will ask commercially firm consumers to begin cessation of their gas consumption, a process known as "Firm Load Shedding". 

If you, the consumer, are instructed by your Gas Transporter (the body responsible for delivering the gas to your premises) to reduce or discontinue your gas consumption then we, TotalEnergies Gas & Power, will pay you, the consumer, a "Demand Side Response" payment for the involuntary response that you have complied with. A payment will be made to you as soon as is practicable after TotalEnergies Gas & Power receive the relevant monies from the Gas Shipper and TotalEnergies & Power receive evidence from you that consumption of gas was reduced or discontinued as instructed by your Gas Transporter. "Firm Load Shedding" is not applicable in instances of "Network Isolation'', where a section of the gas grid infrastructure is isolated from the Total System for the purposes of emergency demand reduction, or for customers that have commercially interruptible contracts.