Energy Supply
The energy supply sector was responsible for around 21% of UK greenhouse gas emissions in 2020, with carbon dioxide making up the majority of this.
Between 1990 and 2020, there has been a long-term downward trend in emissions from this sector, with a reduction of almost 70% over the period.
Between 1990 and 2020, there has been a long-term downward trend in emissions from this sector, with a reduction of almost 70% over the period.
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A number of factors have contributed to the downward trend in emissions.
Demand for electricity has decreased in the long-term since 2005. Unsurprisingly, there was a particularly noticeable drop in 2020 as a result of the national lockdowns that were introduced in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
At the same time, there has been a significant reduction in emissions from power stations generating electricity. This has been achieved through changes in the mix of fuel being used for generation, together with greater efficiency due to improvements in technology. The proportion of electricity generated from renewables has increased steadily year-on-year, although it was down slightly in 2021, with 30% of electricity being generated from renewable sources. This differs from the figure quoted by BEIS as it is based on all fuel input for electricity generation, including imported fuels and fuels lost during the conversion process, rather than just the fuel which is ultimately used for generation. The majority of the long-term reduction since 1990 has been due to fuel switching from coal to gas and renewables for generation. The use of coal at power stations has declined steadily, accompanied by an increase in the use of gas, which has a lower carbon content. In 2021, only 3% of the UK’s electricity was generated by coal-fired power stations.
Demand for electricity has decreased in the long-term since 2005. Unsurprisingly, there was a particularly noticeable drop in 2020 as a result of the national lockdowns that were introduced in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
At the same time, there has been a significant reduction in emissions from power stations generating electricity. This has been achieved through changes in the mix of fuel being used for generation, together with greater efficiency due to improvements in technology. The proportion of electricity generated from renewables has increased steadily year-on-year, although it was down slightly in 2021, with 30% of electricity being generated from renewable sources. This differs from the figure quoted by BEIS as it is based on all fuel input for electricity generation, including imported fuels and fuels lost during the conversion process, rather than just the fuel which is ultimately used for generation. The majority of the long-term reduction since 1990 has been due to fuel switching from coal to gas and renewables for generation. The use of coal at power stations has declined steadily, accompanied by an increase in the use of gas, which has a lower carbon content. In 2021, only 3% of the UK’s electricity was generated by coal-fired power stations.
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The other main factor which has noticeably contributed to the reduction in emissions from energy supply has been in relation to coal mining. The production of deep-mined coal in particular has declined steadily since 1990, with the related emissions having fallen from 22 MtCO2e in 1990 to less than 1 MtCO2e in 2020.
What needs to be done to reach net-zero?
The most significant emissions source is still power stations. Emissions from refineries and the manufacture of solid fuels were also both in excess of 10 MtCO2e in 2020.
The UK will need to continue decarbonising its power supply sector, whilst at the same time continuing to invest in building its renewables capacity. Demand for electricity from the grid from the business and residential sectors is likely to increase as those sectors move away from fossil fuels. Demand from the transport sector will also increase as the number of electric vehicles is scaled up. Developing capabilities around storage is also likely to be important if the UK is to stay on course for its net-zero target.
What needs to be done to reach net-zero?
The most significant emissions source is still power stations. Emissions from refineries and the manufacture of solid fuels were also both in excess of 10 MtCO2e in 2020.
The UK will need to continue decarbonising its power supply sector, whilst at the same time continuing to invest in building its renewables capacity. Demand for electricity from the grid from the business and residential sectors is likely to increase as those sectors move away from fossil fuels. Demand from the transport sector will also increase as the number of electric vehicles is scaled up. Developing capabilities around storage is also likely to be important if the UK is to stay on course for its net-zero target.
