Physics- The UK energy mix

• Energy resources in the UK

  • Abundant reserves of coal
  • Nuclear power
  • Oil and gas in the North Sea
  • Renewable power (wind, solar, biofuels)
• Shift in energy use in the UK


  1. Coal use fell sharply

  2. Nuclear power came online

  3. UK became major producer of oil and gas

  4. Shift towards renewable power
• Nuclear power came online

  Provided 20% of UK's electricity by 1980s
• UK became major producer of oil and gas


  Replaced coal for electricity generation by 2000
• Gas-fired power stations


  • Generate less carbon dioxide than coal
  • Flexible, can be switched on quickly during periods of high demand
• Coal-fired power stations


  • Have a very long start-up time
• In the 1970s, scientists began to realize that carbon dioxide emissions from human activity could be leading to climate change
• Politicians did not see climate change as a big issue at the time due to cheap energy from fossil fuels
• In 2005, a large number of nations signed up to the Kyoto Protocol and committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• Renewable power in the UK

  • UK has one of the best locations for wind power
  • Wind now accounts for around 11% of UK's electricity and set to rise further
  • Other renewables like solar and biofuels also rapidly increasing
• Reliability issues with renewables

  Wind speed can vary, affecting electricity generation
• Addressing reliability issues with renewables


  1. Need a base load of constant electricity supply from nuclear power

  2. Use gas-fired power stations to provide emergency power during peak demand
• Scientists cannot control how different energy resources are used