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They burn up to 90,000 therms a day to feed a 7.5-mile network of pipes that provide steam, hot water and emergency electricity for the campus, including a hospital and laboratories.

In August, the UK benchmark price for gas for delivery the following day peaked at 550p a therm.

In recent days, the price paid per therm of gas has reached above £4, compared with an average so far of £2.60.

"I'm not sure an increase in UK supply would have brought the price down from £3 a therm, as it was in December, from 50p as it was a year ago," he said.

Wholesale costs hit another record this week of 450p a therm, which experts predict could take average annual bills to about £2,000 next year.