5 June 2006
Some of the UK's largest energy providers have come together in order to develop a joint strategy to cope with the challenges posed by climate change.
EDF Energy, E.ON and National Grid are now working alongside the Met Office in order to examine what may be a serious issue for their industry.
More extreme weather conditions could have an impact on the country's power stations and networks, meaning the issue had to be addressed by the firms.
A study of the potential effects of climate change on the energy industry in the UK was published today, which suggested that hotter summers and water shortages could have a significant impact.
"We may experience changes in demand for winter heating and summer cooling," explained Mark Hutchinson, chief executive of the Met Office.
"Crucially for the energy industry and ultimately their customers, current energy systems and processes may work less effectively as temperatures rise," he added.
Cooling systems may be affected, while energy consumption may shift in response to a changing climate.
"The world has no choice but to start planning for the inevitability of some climate change. It is vital for the future of our society and economy that the energy sector is able to adapt to the effects of climate change and can continue to provide the power we need to maintain our way of life," said the UK's energy minister Malcolm Wicks.
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