6.1.8

The UK's Energy Mix

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The UK's Energy Mix

The UK's industrial revolution was driven by coal. The development of natural gas fields in the North Sea close to Scotland in the 1970s and 1980s shifted the balance towards gas.

Illustrative background for Coal as an energy source in the UKIllustrative background for Coal as an energy source in the UK ?? "content

Coal as an energy source in the UK

  • The UK's industrial revolution was driven by coal.
  • There were enormous coal mines in the north of England.
  • In 1913, the UK mined 290 million tonnes of coal. In 1960, this had fallen to 200 million tonnes. Today it is 3 million tonnes.
  • In 2017, coal was used to generate 5% of the UK's energy.
Illustrative background for North Sea oil & gasIllustrative background for North Sea oil & gas ?? "content

North Sea oil & gas

  • Oil and gas were first discovered in the North Sea in the 1960s.
  • In the 1980s, it really began to impact the UK's energy mix.
  • In 1980, coal produced 36% of the UK's energy, oil produced 37% and natural gas produced 22%.
  • In 2017, natural gas produced 39% of the UK's energy and oil produced 36% of the UK's energy.
Illustrative background for Modern, renewable energy sourcesIllustrative background for Modern, renewable energy sources ?? "content

Modern, renewable energy sources

  • To try to reduce its contribution to climate change, the UK has focused on improving its renewable sources of energy.
  • But, in 2017, nuclear power produced 8% of the UK's energy and wind, solar & hydroelectric power put together produced 3% of the UK's energy.

Jump to other topics

1The Challenge of Natural Hazards

1.1Natural Hazards

1.2Tectonic Hazards

1.3Weather Hazards

1.4Climate Change

2The Living World

3Physical Landscapes in the UK

3.1The UK Physical Landscape

3.2Coastal Landscapes in the UK

3.3River Landscapes in the UK

3.4Glacial Landscapes in the UK

4Urban Issues & Challenges

5The Changing Economic World

6The Challenge of Resource Management

6.1Resource Management

6.2Food

6.3Water

6.4Energy

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