The Uk energy mix

What do the Uk have abundant reserves of

Coal

what did uk use to generate electricity from before 1950s

Almost all of the electricity generated from burning coal

What were coal and coal gas also used for

Almost all heating and cooking in the uk

What happened in 1950s

Nuclear power came online

What was the case by 1980s

Nuclear power produced around 20% of all uks electricity

What did the uk become in 1970s

Became a major producer of oil and gas from the north sea and thus began to replace co got electricity generation

What was the case by 2000

As much electricity was generated from burning gas as from coal

Advantages of the switch from coal to gas

Burning gas generates less carbon dioxide than burning coal, contributing less tp climate change

Gas fired power stations are flexible. They can be switched on quickly during periods of high demand (short start up time). Coal fired power stations have a very long start-up time

What did scientists realise in 1970s

Began to realise that carbon dioxide emissions from human activity could be leading to climate change. At the time politicians didn’t see this as a big issue

Why did politicians dismiss this

Energy from fossil fuels was very cheap, thus is an economic factor

Switching away from fossil fuels costs money and that could cost jobs

The switch to renewables

In 2005, the Kyoto protocol Commited countries to reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Uk and wind power

uk has one of the best locations in the world for wind power

Over the last decade, the UK has opened a large number of wind farms

What does the UK need

A baseload (a constant supply of electricity that’s on all the time)

Nuclear power is ideal for this

What can the UK use to provide emergency power in times of peak demand

Gas fired power stations

The future of UK energy

Renewables will provide the bulk of our electricity, with nuclear providing a base loaf and then gas pricing electricity during periods of peak demand