The UK has built a highly connected energy system – pipelines, cables, interconnectors and LNG terminals. Yet it holds just days of gas in storage, while our counterparts in Europe hold months.
In this Scottish Energy Forum session, Ellie Zemani makes the case that connection is not the same as resilience – a secure energy transition also depends on stored energy the system can call on during cold snaps, supply shocks and periods of low renewable output.
Through the Bains underground gas storage project, she will examine how strategic gas storage strengthens security of supply today while supporting the energy transition.
Located in the East Irish Sea, close to existing infrastructure and major demand centres in north-west England and Ireland, Bains will increase the UK’s gas storage capacity by around 50%, providing a national-scale buffer for the wider energy system, and preserving optionality for future hydrogen storage.

Ellie Zemani is Project Director for the Bains Project at dCarbonX.
A Chartered Project Professional, Ellie has two decades’ experience leading energy infrastructure, capital projects and operated assets across the UKCS, including senior leadership roles at Spirit Energy and Centrica. She began her career at Rider Hunt International (now part of Wood).
Recognised among the Top 50 Women in Engineering by the Women’s Engineering Society in 2018, she is an active mentor to project professionals through ECITB, and serves on the Regional Board of North East Scotland College.
Ellie combines technical expertise with strategic project leadership, offering insight into the role underground storage can play in building long-term energy resilience.