Access to Energy
Geography: Edexcel A Level, topic 8.2.2
Access to Energy: The UK
The UK used to rely on their domestic coal (until the 1970s) and were leaders in nuclear technology (between 1950-70). They have now agreed to cut down on CO2 emissions.
Domestic vs foreign
- North Sea oil reserves have reduced the UK’s dependency on oil from the Middle East. But it is expensive to extract North Sea oil, so when global prices fall it can be more economical to import instead.
- Declines in the domestic reserves will lead to the UK needing to import more.
- Although 150 years’ worth of coal use exists in reserves in the UK, available technology means extracting is currently not a viable option.
Public perception
- The UK has the potential for shale gas that can be extracted via fracking, but fracking is unpopular because of the environmental impacts seen in other regions (e.g. Alaska, USA).
- A large proportion of the UK population is not in favour of accessing this resource.
- The privatisation of UK energy supplies means that suppliers include foreign companies, which decide the energy sources (e.g. France’s EDF).
Environmental priorities
- In 2015, the UK agreed to reduce their greenhouse emissions by 40% by 2030, based on 1990 levels.
- The UK has broadened its renewable energy sources but abandoned the ‘Green Deal' conservation and insulation scheme in 2015.
- Despite this, 2015 CO 2 emissions were 7.12 tonnes per capita (compared to 11.5 in 1980).
Access to Energy: Norway
Norway uses hydro-electric power (HEP) as well as natural oil and gas from the North Sea. Norway is committed to being carbon-neutral by 2050.
Physical access
- HEP has been used due to the suitability of the naturally steep valleys and high rainfall.
- 98% of Norway’s renewable electricity comes from HEP sites, which are a relatively low capital investment but can be expensive in terms of transferring electricity to remote regions.
- Oil and natural gas from Norway’s territorial waters are exported using deepwater drilling technology.
- There is also excess of Svalbard Coal, which is exported.
Public perception
- Foreign companies are prevented by the Norwegian government from owning sites of primary energy sources (waterfalls or mines).
- Taxes are paid on fossil fuel sales, which the government spends to boost the standard of living.
- Profits from fossil fuel sales go towards a fund for sustainable alternative fuel sources (for when fossil fuels run out).
Costs
- Norway has a higher energy use per capita (5754kg oil) than the UK (2752kg oil).
- Norway’s energy household costs (£2400) are almost double the UK’s (£1300).
Environmental priorities
- In 2015, Norway agreed to reduce their greenhouse emissions by 40% by 2030, based on 1990 levels.
- Norway is the 3rd largest hydrocarbons exporter in the world.
- In 2016, the ‘Policy for Change’ was pushed to make Norway carbon neutral by 2050.
- In 2015, their CO2 emissions were 11.74 tonnes per capita (compared to 11.6 in 1989).
Test yourself on Access to Energy
How much did the UK agree to reduce their greenhouse emissions by before 2030 (based on 1990 levels)?
Why is the UK not exploiting the 150 years' worth of coal still in UK reserves?
Norway's naturally steep valleys and high rainfall make it suitable for what type of renewable electricity?