UK energy consumption
- Created by: AmyPhipps2000
- Created on: 27-02-18 09:06
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- UK energy consumption
- Physical Availability
- Until the 1970s, the UK depended on domestic coal from Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Nottingham shire, South Wales and north-east England.
- It was also among global leaders in nuclear technology from the 1950s-1970s.
- Lost momentum due to North Sea discovery
- Large reserves of oil and gas in the North Sea, whose increased use after the 1970s, altered the UK's energy mix.
- Cost
- North Sea reserves became a 'secure' alternative to dependency of Middle Eastern oil, after prices rose in the 1970s.
- North Sea oil is expensive to extract, so if global prices fall it becomes less viable.
- Fell between 1997-8 and 2014-15.
- Stocks are declining in the North Sea, so the UK needs to import more.
- Technology
- There are 150 years worth of coal reserves left in the UK,
- Current technology and environmental policy make its extraction and use unrealistic and expensive.
- Last deep coal mine closed in 2015, although 80% of the UK's primary energy still came from fossil fuels
- Technology for 'clean coal' exists (which absorbs carbon dioxide) but coal lost its political support.
- There are 150 years worth of coal reserves left in the UK,
- Political Consideration
- Increasing reliance on imported energy sources affects UK's security
- Public concern growing over proposed fracking and nuclear sites.
- Privatisation of the UK's energy supply industry in the 1980s means oversea companies decide which sources meet demands.
- Buy primary energy on international markets.
- e.g France's EDF and Germany's E-on.
- Level of economic development
- GDP per capita (PPP) - US$41 200 (2015)
- Energy use per capita - 2752 kg oil equivalent (2014)
- Average annual household energy costs - £1300 (2015)
- Environmental Prioirites
- 2015 => committed to 40% reduction in domestic GHE by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.
- Broaden energy mix with renewable sources and more nuclear power
- Abandoned 'Green Deal' conservation and insulation schemes in 2015.
- In 2015, the carbon dioxide emissions were 7.13 tonnes per capita.
- Down from a peak of 11.5 in 1980.
- Physical Availability
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