Geopolitical strife and military conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East continue to affect global energy costs, raising the question of which alternative gaseous fuels can fill the void previously occupied by fossil fuels. Yet traditional energy sources still offer many benefits.
UK energy provision faces uncertainty around viable alternative energies. Wider electrification is being introduced, but challenges include insufficient grid connection timescales for new projects and infrastructure suffering from a lack of investment.
Natural gas also remains dominant. Gas-based energies such as renewable methane, hydrogen, LPG and BioLPG offer a conceivable alternative to large-scale electrification, particularly given the scale of existing gas infrastructure.
The UK ranks second behind Germany for European natural gas consumption and second for gas-generated electrical power. In 2024, 30.3% of electricity was produced using natural gas. Around 1.5 million gas boilers were installed across UK sectors that year, mostly replacements.
Natural gas supports grid flexibility as a reliable baseload energy source. When renewable generation from solar or wind is low, gas can provide power to UK customers.
Continuous flow technology therefore remains a practical and economic solution for hot water provision. Continuous flow water heaters provide hot water on demand, with gas combusted only when required. Unlike storage systems that must maintain water temperature through constant heating, customers pay for energy when hot water is used.
Operating only when required improves system efficiency while reducing costs and emissions. Their compact dimensions allow wall-mounted installation, reducing installation space and material waste.
Natural gas offers a pathway towards renewable gas blends, including hydrogen-ready water heaters, boilers and hybrid systems. Hydrogen blends could help reduce emissions alongside biomethane and BioLPG.
Last year, Centrica and National Gas completed a 2% hydrogen blend trial at Brigg Power Station in Lincolnshire. The blend generated electricity for local businesses and homes with no reported issues. The UK is considering 2-5% hydrogen blends, with the possibility of increasing this to 20% in future. Natural gas still provides 85% of UK properties with heating and hot water. International Energy Agency figures show it contributed 36.8% of final UK energy provision in 2024.
Off-grid customers can choose LPG and BioLPG. LPG emissions are 33% lower than coal and 15% lower than oil. The UK LPG market is expected to grow by 12.82% between 2023 and 2033, attracting £600m of investment between 2022 and 2025. BioLPG can reduce emissions further. Liquid Gas UK reports more than £100m is being invested in BioLPG, while the European LPG market is expected to expand by 19.80% between 2026 and 2035. Both fuels can help decarbonise offgrid properties that other technologies struggle to reach. Other options include e-methane and biomethane. E-methane combines captured carbon dioxide with green hydrogen produced using renewable energy, creating a storable low-carbon gas. Biomethane is produced when methane from biological waste forms through anaerobic digestion. Once impurities are removed, the gas is upgraded into biomethane.
Both can operate like fossil fuels and be introduced into existing infrastructure without compromising appliance efficiency, commercial activity or societal cohesion.
Gas-fired appliances and infrastructure therefore retain a role in the UK. Continuous flow water heaters can reduce energy costs, fuel consumption and carbon output while providing domestic and commercial users with cost-effective hot water. If energy supplies become restricted, LPG, BioLPG, e-methane, biomethane and hydrogen all have the potential to fulfil roles currently occupied by natural gas. www.rinnai-uk.co.uk