Your editorial (Fracking’s day may have passed, 10 January) was keen to downplay the role of onshore gas in the UK’s future energy mix, and was deeply concerning. Natural gas has a role to play for many decades, and this is backed up by the National Grid, the government and other forecasters. 40% of UK primary energy was derived from natural gas in 2016, a 50% increase from 1990. In the UK, a projected annual gas demand of 68bcm in 2030, which is 90% of 2015 economy-wide consumption, is in keeping with the Committee on Climate Change’s fifth carbon budget. Natural gas is the largest energy source for UK homes and businesses, providing us with heat, power and vital feedstocks needed for our industries.

The site at Balcombe is not a site that will use hydraulic fracturing as there is not a need to – that was made clear by the company. You also refer to Ineos wanting to access gas in sensitive areas – this is despite the company confirming they have no plans to access site of special scientific interest (SSSI) areas for the purposes of the survey being carried out in the East Midlands, and this being confirmed by the governing authority, the local council.

Gas-based solutions such as hydrogen and carbon capture and storage have a role in the longer-term decarbonisation of heat and heavy goods transport. However, all of this needs a source of gas. Almost 50% of our gas comes from outside the UK, a significant turnaround from 17 years ago when we were a gas exporter. This is set to rise to nearly 80% in the next 17 years and has massive implications for our energy bills, public purse and climate, given the higher emissions associated with imported gas. It makes no sense environmentally or economically, given the need for gas, to transfer it across oceans and continents when we have it beneath our feet.

Ken Cronin

Chief executive, UK Onshore Oil and Gas

• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com

• Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters