Factors affecting energy consumption

• UK: Physical availability:

  • Until 1970s, dependent on coal
  • Pioneers in nuclear technology. Lost momentum after north sea deposits found
• UK: cost:

  • North sea main source of oil rather than Middle East - 1970s OPEC embargo cut supply
• UK: cost:

  • North sea oil not viable if prices are too low - high extraction costs and falling supply
• UK: Technology:

  • 150 years worth of coal supply in UK but technological and env factors mean it's unrealistic and too expensive
• UK:

  • UK last deep coal mine closed in 2015
• UK: political considerations:

  • High dependence on imported energy
• UK: political considerations:

  • Concerns over fracking and nuclear energy
  • Reliance on foreign energy companies - EDF + Hinkley Point C
• UK:

  • Energy use / capita (2014) = 2752kg oil eqiv
  • Annual average household energy cost (2015) = £1300
• UK: environment

  • "Green deal" - insolation scheme abandoned in 2015
  • Net 0 by 2050
• Norway: physical factors:

  • HEP - mountainous
  • Much of oil and gas extracted is exported
• Norway: cost

  • HEP supplies 97.5% of its renewable energy
  • Low HEP cost once capital investment complete
• Norway: technology

  • Deepwater drilling technologies help for more extraction
• Norway: political

  • Foreign companies cannot own primary energy source sites
  • Taxes of oil go to soverign wealth fund
• Norway: economy

  • Energy use / capita (2014) = 5854kg oil equiv
  • Average household energy cost (2015) = £2400
• Norway: environment

  
  

  • Plans to be net zero by 2050
• USA:

  • Coal consumption decreased by 50% since 2011, whilst natural gas increased by 50%
• UK:

  • No new North Sea oil contracts - weakened energy security
• UK:

  • Spends £10b / year on Norway gas, £10b / year on Norway oil.