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UK energy imports reach record levels as renewables continue to rise
Falling indigenous fossil fuel production means that Britain has consolidated its transition into energy import dependency, despite the continuing growth of energy from renewables. UK coal, oil and gas production all fell during 2013, and energy imports reached record high levels – according to data released by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and published as Energy Trends. Coal production fell by a full quarter over the year to a record low figure. However, the generation of electricity from renewables rose by 28%, year-on-year, to account for a record 15% of total electricity production, up by more than 3% from 2012.
All this for a year in which UK primary energy consumption fell by 0.6%, or by 1.8% on a temperature-corrected basis, ie taking account of weather differences between 2012 and 2013.
Total energy production was 7% lower than in 2012, due to record low production levels in coal as a number of mines closed, and oil and gas production as a result of maintenance activity, as well as longer-term decline on the UK Continental Shelf, said DECC. Meanwhile, imports in 2013 were at a record high, with exports at their lowest level since 1980. Net import dependency rose to 47%, the highest level since 1975.
Of electricity generated in 2013, coal accounted for 36% (a decrease of 3% on 2012) and gas 27% (a decrease of 0.7%), mainly due to high gas prices, according to Energy Trends. Meanwhile, renewable generation increased by 28% and its share of generation by 3.5% on 2012, to a record 15%. Capacity grew by 25%.
Other highlights from 2013 include:
· Oil production was 9% lower than in 2012. Production of petroleum products was down by 5%, the closure of Coryton in July 2012 and disruptions at other refineries were key factors.
· Natural gas production was 6% lower than in 2012 and at its lowest level since 1984.
· Coal production was 25% lower than in 2012 and at a record low. Coal imports were 10% higher and at their highest level since 2006.
· Within final energy consumption there were rises in the domestic and services sectors but falls in the industrial and transport sectors.
· Electricity consumption was 0.5% lower than in 2012 and at its lowest level since 1998. Electricity generated in 2013 fell by 2%, from 364 TWh a year earlier to 357 TWh.
· Low carbon electricity’s share of generation increased from 31% in 2012 to 35% in 2013, due to higher renewables and nuclear generation.
· The nuclear share of generation increased by 0.4% on 2012, to 20% of the total. Hydro generation decreased by 11% on 2012 as a result of lower rainfall in the main hydro areas, whilst wind rose by 42%, due to increased capacity.
· UK domestic gas and electricity prices were the lowest and fifth-lowest in the EU15 respectively.
News Item details
Journal title: Energy World
Keywords: Renewables
Countries: UK -
Organisation: Department of Energy and Climate Change
Subjects: Maintenance, Policy and Governance, Solid fossil fuels and derived products, Wind power
