Overview
- The Cobra planning file, reported Wednesday by The Times, modeled a June ‘reasonable worst case’ with UK CO2 supplies falling to about 18% of normal.
- The scenario links a prolonged Strait of Hormuz squeeze and high gas costs with a mechanical failure at a UK site and reduced ammonia output in Europe, which is where much food‑grade CO2 is made.
- Officials would prioritize hospitals and civil nuclear sites to secure dry ice for blood, organs, vaccines and to protect critical energy processes.
- Ministers and retailers say there are no shortages now, with any squeeze expected to show up as fewer choices of meats, salads and fizzy drinks rather than empty shelves.
- The government restarted the Ensus bioethanol plant in Teesside for three months to boost domestic supply and is weighing emergency powers, including factory switchovers to CO2, if the crunch deepens.