BRITAIN’S gas network operator is on the verge of issuing an emergency alert that could lead to cuts for industrial users and potentially affect Ireland, which takes 90% of its supply from Britain.

The National Grid in Britain said it could issue the “gas balancing alert” in the next two to three days because reserves had fallen to less than a week’s supply of UK needs.

Suppliers were forced to dip into reserves last week after energy companies began siphoning gas out of Britain to supply other parts of Europe.

Bord Gais said on Wednesday that consumption had reached a two-year high due to cold weather but it would take months before the row between Russia and Ukraine would cause a shortage in Ireland.

“The conflict would have to run into months before it would be a problem for Britain and Ireland,” said John Mullins, the Bord Gais chief executive.

Energy regulator CER said on Tuesday that Ireland could be indirectly affected if the Russia-Ukraine crisis persisted.

“Obviously if that continues to develop over the next couple of months and gas from the North Sea is directed into Europe, it could affect us that way,” a spokesman said.

Peter Parsons, gas supply manager at Britain’s National Grid said: “We’re close to the point where we’ll have to take emergency-type measures.”

The alert follows a shutdown of deliveries by Gazprom, the Russian supplier, to much of Europe because of a payments dispute with Ukraine.

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