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Energy in the United Kingdom

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United Kingdom total primary energy consumption by fuel in 2021[1]

  Gas (42.8%)
  Oil (32.1%)
  Primary electricity (11.2%)
  Bioenergy and waste (10.5%)
  Coal (3.4%)
Energy mix of the United Kingdom over time

Energy in the United Kingdom came mostly from fossil fuels in 2021. Total energy consumption in the United Kingdom was 142.0 million tonnes of oil equivalent (1,651 TWh) in 2019.[2] In 2014, the UK had an energy consumption per capita of 2.78 tonnes of oil equivalent (32.3 MWh) compared to a world average of 1.92 tonnes of oil equivalent (22.3 MWh).[3] Demand for electricity in 2014 was 34.42 GW on average[4] (301.7 TWh over the year) coming from a total electricity generation of 335.0 TWh.[5]

Successive UK governments have outlined numerous commitments to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. One such announcement was the Low Carbon Transition Plan launched by the Brown ministry in July 2009, which aimed to generate 30% electricity from renewable sources, and 40% from low-carbon content fuels by 2020. Notably, the UK is one of the best sites in Europe for wind energy, and wind power production is its fastest growing supply.[6][7][8] Wind power contributed almost 21% of UK electricity generation in 2019.[9] In 2019, the electricity sector's grid supply for the United Kingdom came from 43% fossil fuelled power (almost all from natural gas), 48.5% zero-carbon power (including 16.8% nuclear power and 26.5% from wind, solar and hydroelectricity), and 8% imports.[10]

Government commitments to reduce emissions are occurring against a backdrop of economic crisis across Europe.[11] During the European financial crisis, Europe's consumption of electricity shrank by 5%, with primary production also facing a noticeable decline. Britain's trade deficit was reduced by 8% due to substantial cuts in energy imports.[12] Between 2007 and 2015, the UK's peak electrical demand fell from 61.5 GW to 52.7. By 2022 it reached 47.1  GW.[13][14][15]

UK government energy policy aims to play a key role in limiting greenhouse gas emissions, whilst meeting energy demand. Shifting availabilities of resources and development of technologies also change the country's energy mix through changes in costs and consumption. In 2018, the United Kingdom was ranked sixth in the world on the Environmental Performance Index,[16] which measures how well a country carries through environmental policy.

A night view of the southeast of the UK, centred on Greater London, as seen from the International Space Station.

Energy sources

Fossil fuel consumption in the UK. Since the 1990s, coal use declined while natural gas use increased.

Oil

Main article: Oil and gas industry in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom oil production 1975–2012 (data from DECC)
Petroleum production and consumption in the United Kingdom

After UK oil production peaked at nearly 3 million barrels per day in 1999,[17] concerns over peak oil production were raised by high-profile voices in the United Kingdom such as David King[18] and the Industry Task-Force on Peak Oil and Energy Security.[19] The latter's 2010 report states that "The next five years will see us face another crunch – the oil crunch. This time, we do have the chance to prepare. The challenge is to use that time well." (Richard Branson and Ian Marchant).[20] However, world peak oil production was not reached and instead the debate is about oil imports and when peak oil demand will be reached.[21]

In October 2022, it was confirmed that UK Prime Minister, Liz Truss, would be issuing hundreds of new oil and gas licenses.[22] In the same month, Truss said she will not tax the profits of oil and gas corporations to pay for a freeze in energy bills.[23]

Natural gas

See also: List of natural gas power stations in the United Kingdom

United Kingdom produced 60% of its consumed natural gas in 2010. In five years the United Kingdom moved from almost gas self-sufficient (see North Sea gas) to 40% gas import in 2010. Gas was almost 40% of total primary energy supply (TPES) and electricity more than 45% in 2010. Underground storage was about 5% of annual demand and more than 10% of net imports. There is an alternative fuel obligation in the United Kingdom.[24] (see Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation)

Gasfields include Amethyst gasfield, Armada gasfield, Easington Catchment Area, East Knapton, Everest gasfield and Rhum gasfield.

A gas leak occurred in March 2012 at the Elgin-Franklin fields, where about 200,000 cubic metres of gas was escaping every day. Total missed out on about £83 million of potential income.[25]

Coal

See also: List of active coal-fired power stations in the United Kingdom

Coal power in England and Wales has reduced substantially in the beginning of the twenty-first century. The power stations known as the Hinton Heavies closed, and coal is rarely used for power generation as of October 2023.[26]

Electricity production from coal in 2018 was less than any time since the industrial revolution, with the first "coal free day" in 2017 and the first coal free week in 2019.[27] Coal supplied 5.4% of UK electricity in 2018, down from 7% in 2017, 9% in 2016, 23% in 2015 and 30% in 2014.[28]

The UK Government announced in November 2015 that all the remaining 14 coal-fired power stations would be closed by 2025.[29] In February 2020, the government said that it would consult on bringing the closure date forward to 2024.[30][31]

As of October 2023 there is only one active coal-fired power plant left, Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station, which is planned to close at the end of 2024.[32]

Nuclear

Main article: Nuclear power in the United Kingdom
Heysham nuclear power stations

Britain's fleet of operational reactors consists of 10 advanced gas-cooled reactors at four discrete sites and one PWR unit at Sizewell B. The total installed nuclear capacity in the United Kingdom is about 6.8 GW.[33] In addition, the UK experimented with Fast Breeder reactor technologies at Dounreay in Scotland; however the last fast breeder (with 250 MWe of capacity) was shut down in 1994.[34]

Even with changes to the planning system to speed nuclear power plant applications, there are doubts over whether the necessary timescale could be met to increase nuclear power output, and over the financial viability of nuclear power with present oil and gas prices. With no nuclear plants having been constructed since Sizewell B in 1995, there are also likely to be capacity issues within the native nuclear industry. The existing privatised nuclear supplier, British Energy, had been in financial trouble in 2004.

In October 2010, the coalition British Government gave the go-ahead for the construction of up to eight new nuclear power plants.[35] However, the Scottish Government, with the backing of the Scottish Parliament, has stated that no new nuclear power stations will be constructed in Scotland.[36][37]

Renewable energy

Main article: Renewable energy in the United Kingdom

In 2007, the United Kingdom Government agreed to an overall European Union target of generating 20% of the European Union's energy supply from renewable sources by 2020. Each European Union member state was given its own allocated target; for the United Kingdom it is 15%. This was formalised in January 2009 with the passage of the EU Renewables Directive. As renewable heat and fuel production in the United Kingdom are at extremely low bases, RenewableUK estimates that this will require 35–40% of the United Kingdom's electricity to be generated from renewable sources by that date,[38] to be met largely by 33–35 GW of installed wind capacity.

In the third quarter of 2019, renewables contributed towards 38.9% of the UK's electricity generation, producing 28.8 TWh of electricity.[39]

In June 2017, renewables plus nuclear generated more UK power than gas and coal together for the first time and new offshore wind power became cheaper than new nuclear power for the first time.[40]

Wind power

Main article: Wind power in the United Kingdom
Further information: Wind power in the European Union
Burbo Bank Offshore Wind Farm

In December 2007, the United Kingdom Government announced plans for a massive expansion of wind energy production, by conducting a Strategic Environmental Assessment of up to 25 GW worth of wind farm offshore sites in preparation for a new round of development. These proposed sites were in addition to the 8 GW worth of sites already awarded in the two earlier rounds of site allocations, Round 1 in 2001 and Round 2 in 2003. Taken together it was estimated that this would result in the construction of over 7,000 offshore wind turbines.[41]

Wind power delivers a growing fraction of the energy in the United Kingdom and at the beginning of November 2018, wind power in the United Kingdom consisted of nearly 10,000 wind turbines with a total installed capacity of just over 20 gigawatts: 12,254 MW of onshore capacity and 7,897 MW of offshore capacity.[42]

In August and September 2021, the UK had to restart coal plants, amidst a lack of wind, as power imports from Europe were insufficient to satisfy demand.[43][44]

Solar

Solar panels on the BedZED development in the London Borough of Sutton
Solar farm and colliery in North Yorkshire in 2017
Main article: Solar power in the United Kingdom

At the end of 2011, there were 230,000 solar power projects in the United Kingdom,[45] with a total installed generating capacity of 750 MW.[46] By February 2012 the installed capacity had reached 1,000 MW.[47] Solar power use has increased very rapidly in recent years, albeit from a small base, as a result of reductions in the cost of photovoltaic (PV) panels, and the introduction of a Feed-in tariff (FIT) subsidy in April 2010.[45] In 2012, the government said that 4 million homes across the UK will be powered by the sun within eight years,[48] representing 22,000 MW of installed solar power capacity by 2020.[45]

Biofuels

Main article: Biofuel in the United Kingdom

Gas from sewage and landfill (biogas) has already been exploited in some areas. In 2004 it provided 129.3 GW·h (up 690% from 1990 levels), and was the UK's leading renewable energy source, representing 39.4% of all renewable energy produced (including hydro) in 2006.[49] The UK has committed to a target of 10.3% of renewable energy in transport to comply with the Renewable Energy Directive of the European Union but has not yet implemented legislation to meet this target.

Other biofuels can provide a close-to-carbon-neutral energy source, if locally grown. In South America and Asia, the production of biofuels for export has in some cases resulted in significant ecological damage, including the clearing of rainforest. In 2004 biofuels provided 105.9 GW·h, 38% of it wood. This represented an increase of 500% from 1990.[50]

The UK is importing large quantities of wood pellets from the United States, replacing coal at several generating stations.[51]

Geothermal power

Main article: Geothermal power in the United Kingdom

Investigations into the exploitation of Geothermal power in the United Kingdom, prompted by the 1973 oil crisis, were abandoned as fuel prices fell. Only one scheme is operational, the Southampton District Energy Scheme. In 2004, it was announced that a further scheme would be built to heat the UK's first geothermal energy model village near Eastgate, County Durham.[52]

Hydroelectric

Main article: Hydroelectricity in the United Kingdom
The Dinorwig Power Station lower reservoir, a 1,800 MW pumped-storage hydroelectric scheme, in north Wales, and the largest hydroelectric power station in the UK

As of 2012, hydroelectric power stations in the United Kingdom accounted for 1.67 GW of installed electrical generating capacity, being 1.9% of the UK's total generating capacity and 14% of UK's renewable energy generating capacity. Annual electricity production from such schemes is approximately 5,700 GWh, being about 1.5% of the UK's total electricity production.[53]

There are also pumped-storage power stations in the UK. These power stations are net consumers of electrical energy however they contribute to balancing the grid, which can facilitate renewable generation elsewhere, for example by 'soaking up' surplus renewable output at off-peak times and release the energy when it is required.

Electricity sector

Main article: Electricity sector in the United Kingdom
Electricity supplied (net) 1948 to 2008[54]
UK electricity production by source 1980–2018[55][56][57][58]

History

During the 1940s, some 90% of the electricity generation was by coal, with oil providing most of the remainder. With the development of the national grid, the switch to using electricity, United Kingdom electricity consumption increased by around 150% between the post-war nationalisation of the industry in 1948 and the mid-1960s. During the 1960s, growth slowed as the market became saturated. The United Kingdom is planning to reform its electricity market, see also Decarbonisation measures in proposed UK electricity market reform.

It plans to introduce a capacity mechanism and contracts for difference to encourage the building of new generation.

The former Battersea Power Station

The United Kingdom started to develop nuclear power capacity in the 1950s, with Calder Hall nuclear power station being connected to the grid on 27 August 1956. Though the production of weapons-grade plutonium was the main reason behind this power station, other civil stations followed, and 26% of the nation's electricity was generated from nuclear power at its peak in 1997.

Despite the flow of North Sea oil from the mid-1970s, electricity generation from oil remained relatively small and continued to decline.

Starting in 1993, and continuing through the 1990s, a combination of factors led to a so-called Dash for Gas, during which the use of coal was scaled back in favour of gas-fuelled generation. This was sparked by the privatisation of the National Coal Board, British Gas and the Central Electricity Generating Board; the introduction of laws facilitating competition within the energy markets; and the availability of cheap gas from the North Sea. In 1990, just 1.09% of all gas consumed in the country was used in electricity generation; by 2004 the figure was 30.25%.[59]

By 2004, coal use in power stations had fallen to 50.5 million tonnes, representing 82.4% of all coal used in 2004 (a fall of 43.6% compared to 1980 levels), though up slightly from its low in 1999.[59] On several occasions in May 2016, Britain burned no coal for electricity for the first time since 1882.[60][61] On 21 April 2017, Britain went a full day without using coal power for the first time since the Industrial Revolution, according to the National Grid.[62]

From the mid-1990s, new renewable energy sources began to contribute to the electricity generated, adding to a small hydroelectricity generating capacity.

Electricity generation

In the first three months of 2023, Britain's wind turbines generated more electricity (32.4%) than gas-fired power stations (31.7%) for the first time.[63]

In 2020, total electricity production stood at 312 TWh (down from a peak of 385 TWh in 2005), generated from the following sources:[64]

A typical offshore oil/gas platform
  • Gas: 35.7% (was 0.05% in 1990)
  • Nuclear: 16.1% (19% in 1990)
  • Wind: 24.2% (0% in 1990), of which:
  • Onshore Wind: 11.1%
  • Offshore Wind: 13%
  • Coal: 1.8% (67% in 1991)
  • Bio-Energy: 12.6% (0% in 1990)
  • Solar: 4.2% (0% in 1990)
  • Hydroelectric: 2.2% (2.6% in 1990)
  • Oil and other: 3.3% (12% in 1990)

The UK energy policy had targeted a total contribution from renewable energy to achieve 10% by 2010, but it was not until 2012 that this figure was exceeded; renewable energy sources supplied 11.3% (41.3 TWh) of the electricity generated in the United Kingdom in 2012.[65] The Scottish Government had a target of generating 17% to 18% of Scotland's electricity from renewables by 2010,[66] rising to 40% by 2020.[67]

Regional differences

See also: Energy policy of Scotland

While in some ways limited by which powers are devolved, the four nations of the United Kingdom have different energy mixes and ambitions. Scotland currently has a target of 80% of electricity from renewables by 2020, which was increased from an original ambition of 50% by 2020 after it exceeded its interim target of 31 percent by 2011.[68] Scotland has most of the UK's hydro-electric power generation facilities. It has a quarter of the EU's estimated offshore wind potential,[69] and is at the forefront of testing various marine energy systems.[70]

Cogeneration

Main article: District heating § United Kingdom
District heating accumulator tower, Pimlico

Combined heat and power (CHP) plants, where 'waste' hot water from generating is used for district heating, are also a well tried technology in other parts of Europe. While it heats about 50% of all houses in Denmark, Finland, Poland, Sweden and Slovakia, it currently only plays a small role in the United Kingdom. It has, however, been rising, with total generation standing at 27.9 TWh by 2008. This consisted of 1,439 predominantly gas-fired schemes with a total CHP electrical generating capacity of 5.47 GW, and contributing 7% of the UK's electricity supply.[54] Heat generation utilisation has fallen however from a peak of 65 TWh in 1991 to 49 TWh in 2012.

Energy research

Historically, public sector support for energy research and development in the United Kingdom has been provided by a variety of public and private sector bodies.

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council funds an energy programme[71] spanning energy and climate change research. It aims to "develop, embrace and exploit sustainable, low carbon and/or energy efficient technologies and systems" to enable the United Kingdom "to meet the Government’s energy and environmental targets by 2020". Its research includes renewable, conventional, nuclear and fusion electricity supply as well as energy efficiency, fuel poverty and other topics.

Since being established in 2004, the UK Energy Research Centre[72] carries out research into demand reduction, future sources of energy, infrastructure and supply, energy systems, sustainability and materials for advanced energy systems.

The Energy Technologies Institute, set up to 'accelerate the development of secure, reliable and cost-effective low-carbon energy technologies towards commercial deployment', began its work in 2007 and is due to close at the end of 2019.[73]

In relation to buildings, the Building Research Establishment[74] carries out some research into energy conservation.

There is currently international research being conducted into fusion power. The ITER reactor is currently being constructed at Cadarache in France. The United Kingdom contributed towards this project through membership of the European Union. Prior to this, an experimental fusion reactor (the Joint European Torus) had been built at Culham in Oxfordshire.

Energy efficiency

Further information: Energy efficiency in British housing

The United Kingdom government has instituted several policies intended to promote an increase in efficient energy use. These include the roll out of smart meters, the Green Deal, the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme, the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme[75] and Climate Change Agreements.

In tackling the energy trilemma, saving energy is the cheapest of all measures. Improving home insulation helps reduce fossil gas imports.[76]

Climate change

See also: Greenhouse gas emissions by the United Kingdom
Development of carbon dioxide emissions

The Committee on Climate Change publishes an annual progress report in respect to control the climate change in the United Kingdom.

Scotland cut greenhouse gas emissions by around 46% between 1990 and 2014.[77] Scotland aims to have a carbon-free electricity sector based on renewable energy sources by 2032. Scotland also aims to repair 250,000 hectares (620,000 acres; 2,500 km2) of degraded peatlands, which store a total of 1.7 gigatonnes of CO2.[78]

Since 2013, an Energy Company Obligation (ECO) levy on electricity has been in effect. As of 2022, the levy generates around 1 billion pounds.

See also

References

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