UNISON has raised concerns with energy company National Grid over its announcement to sell the Grain Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal, located in Kent.
National Grid is a private energy company operating in the UK and US and the largest electricity transmission and distribution business in the UK.
The Grain LNG terminal is the UK and Europe’s largest terminal importing LNG to the country. UNISON is concerned that the decision to sell it could have a negative impact on the UK’s energy security. The union is therefore calling on the government to intervene in the decision.
UNISON head of energy Donna Rowe-Merriman said: “The announcement by US-owned National Grid fundamentally undermines UK energy security. This is a market-driven decision and not in the best interest of the UK.
“This decision leaves UK energy security vulnerable. Any decision on the future of Grain LNG and National Grid Ventures must be part of a longer-term view in relation to energy policy and security. Any sale must be a political decision taking account of the impacts on the UK’s future energy security.
“The UK government must intervene immediately to ensure that no sale takes place before the general election.
“Ministers must act now – and not use the dissolution of Parliament as an excuse to bury their heads in the sand on important decisions of national energy security.”