UK ENERGY IN BRIEF

2024
UK ENERGY IN BRIEF 2024
This booklet summarises the latest statistics on energy production,
consumption, prices and climate change in the United Kingdom. Figures
are primarily taken from the 2024 edition of the “Digest of UK Energy
Statistics”, published on 30 July 2024. Details of the Digest and other
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) statistical
publications on energy and climate change can be found on pages 49
and 50 of this booklet and are available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-energy-
security-and-net-zero/about/statistics

1
 CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION TO THE CHARTS AND TABLES 4

ENERGY IN THE ECONOMY

The energy industries’ contribution to the UK economy 5
Contribution to GVA 5
Trends in employment 6
Investment 7

OVERALL ENERGY
Production of primary fuels 8
Inland energy consumption 9
Final energy consumption 10
Import dependency 11
Key sources of imports 12
Proportion of UK energy supplied from low carbon sources 13
Energy and carbon ratios 14

CLIMATE CHANGE
Territorial greenhouse gas emissions by gas 15
Territorial greenhouse gas emissions by sector 16

SECURITY OF SUPPLY
Reliability 17

COAL
Production and imports 18
Consumption 19

PETROLEUM
Foreign trade in crude oil and petroleum products 20
Demand by product 21
Demand for road fuels 22

OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION

UK Continental Shelf production 23
Oil and gas production and reserves 24

NATURAL GAS
Demand 25
Trade 26

ELECTRICITY
Generated 27
Supplied 28
Capacity 29

2
 CONTENTS

RENEWABLES
Small scale capacity 30
Energy sources 31
Electricity generation from renewable sources 32
UK onshore and offshore wind capacity map 33
Renewable proportion of gross final consumption 34

COMBINED HEAT AND POWER 35

ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Energy intensity 36
Energy efficiency measures delivered through Government schemes 37
Number of homes with energy efficiency measures 38
Smart meters 39

FUEL POVERTY
Households in fuel poverty 40
Low income households by FPEER band 41
Energy affordability metrics 42

PRICES
Fuel price indices for the industrial sector 43
Fuel price indices for the domestic sector 44
Petrol and diesel prices 45
Domestic supplier transfers 46

CONTACTS 47

CONVERSION FACTORS AND DEFINITIONS 48

REFERENCES 49

3
 INTRODUCTION TO THE CHARTS AND TABLES
UK Energy in Brief aims to provide a summary of some of the key developments in the UK
energy system: how energy is produced and used and the way in which energy use
influences greenhouse gas emissions. It takes data from the main Department for Energy
Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) energy and climate change statistical publications; the
Digest of UK Energy Statistics, Energy Trends, Energy Prices, Energy Consumption in the
UK, the annual Fuel Poverty statistics report and the quarterly Smart Meters report and
statistical releases on emissions, and combines these with data produced by the Office for
National Statistics and other Government Departments.

The booklet contains separate sections on the economics of the energy industry, overall
energy production and consumption and trends in production and consumption of the
major fuel sources, climate change and fuel poverty. Also discussed are developments in
combined heat and power and renewable energy. Information is also given on energy
efficiency and energy prices.

The detailed background data on energy production and consumption can be found in the
Digest of UK Energy Statistics 2024 available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/digest-of-uk-energy-statistics-dukes

Other statistical outputs produced by DESNZ and drawn on in this publication are listed on
pages 49 and 50.

4
 ENERGY IN THE ECONOMY

THE ENERGY INDUSTRIES’ CONTRIBUTION TO THE UK ECONOMY IN 2023

• 1.9% of GVA (Gross Value Added).

• 149,500 people directly employed (5.3% of industrial employment) and more

indirectly (e.g. in support of UK Continental Shelf production).

• 6.9% of total investment.

• 24.6% of industrial investment.

Contribution to GVA by the energy industries, 1980 to 2023

Source: Office for National Statistics

The contribution to the UK economy by the energy industries peaked in 1982 at 10.4%. In
2023, the contribution by the energy industries to the UK economy was 1.9% of GVA,
broadly similar to 2022.

Despite its significant fall in 1986, oil and gas extraction has been the major energy
contributor to the UK economy (with its value dependent both on production and the price
of oil and gas). However, since 2014 electricity has become the major energy contributor.
Of the energy total in 2023 electricity (including renewables) accounted for 57%, oil and
gas extraction accounted for 24%, and gas accounted for 7%.

5
 ENERGY IN THE ECONOMY
Trends in employment in the energy industries, 1980 to 2023

Source: Office for National Statistics (Data from 1996 onwards based on SIC 2007 classifications)

Employment in the energy production and supply industries fell rapidly throughout the
1980s and mid-1990s largely as a result of closures of coal mines. Between 1995 and mid-
2000s employment declined more slowly but since 2006 it has increased gradually, driven
largely by growth in the electricity and gas sectors. However, since 2020 employment in
the energy industries has fallen back. In 2023 employment fell by 7.4% on the previous
year to 149,500 which was 37% above the 2005 level and accounted for 5.3% of all
industrial employment. Of the energy total in 2023 electricity (including renewables)
accounted for 53%, gas accounted for 20%.and oil and gas extraction accounted for 20%.

6
 ENERGY IN THE ECONOMY
Investment in the energy industries, 2005 to 2023

Source: Office for National Statistics

In 2023 investment in the energy industries at £18.5 billion (at current prices) was 12%
higher than in 2022.

Of the total invested electricity contributed 56% (down 7.4 percentage points on 2022), oil
and gas extraction (including a small proportion of less than 0.01% for coal extraction)
contributed 26% (up 5.5 percentage points on 2022), gas contributed 14% (up 1.0
percentage points on 2022), with the remaining 4% in coke & refined petroleum products
industries (up 0.9 percentage points on 2022).

7
 OVERALL ENERGY
Production of primary fuels, 1990 to 2023

Million tonnes of oil equivalent

1990 2000 2010 2020 2021 2022 2023
Primary oil 100.1 138.3 69.0 53.6 44.7 41.3 36.6
Natural gas 45.5 108.4 55.3 37.8 31.3 36.4 32.9
Coal 56.4 19.6 11.4 1.2 0.7 0.5 0.4
Primary electricity 16.7 20.2 15.1 18.9 17.0 18.8 17.5
Bioenergy & waste 0.7 2.3 5.8 12.1 13.1 13.3 13.7
Total 219.4 288.7 156.7 123.6 107.0 110.3 101.2

Total production of primary fuels, when expressed in terms of their energy content, fell by
8.3% in 2023 to a record low level of 101.2 million tonnes of oil equivalent. In 2023 output
from coal, oil and nuclear were all at record low levels, whilst gas output fell by 10%. The
fall in 2023 was partially offset by rises in bioenergy & waste and renewables output which
was boosted by increased capacity for offshore wind and solar technologies. Primary oil
(crude oil and Natural Gas Liquids) accounted for 36% of total production, natural gas
33%, primary electricity (consisting of nuclear, wind, solar and hydro) 17%, bioenergy and
waste 14%, while coal accounted for just 0.4%.

Total production increased rapidly between 1990 and 2000, mainly due to the growth of oil
and gas. Production in 2000 was at record levels for natural gas, whilst in 1999 it was at
record levels for overall energy and petroleum. Production has been on a general decline
since 2000, but increased between 2015 and 2018, before falling again from 2019
onwards. Oil production is still 36% below pre-pandemic (2019) levels, whilst gas
production is still 12% below pre-pandemic (2019) levels. Total production is now 66%
lower than its peak in 1999. Since 2000, oil and gas production levels have fallen by 74%
and 70% respectively.

8
 OVERALL ENERGY
Inland energy consumption, 1990 and 2023

Note: Primary electricity includes nuclear, wind, solar, hydro and net imports.

Million tonnes of oil equivalent

1990 2000 2010 2020 2021 2022 2023
Total inland primary
energy consumption1: 213.6 234.8 220.0 164.7 170.9 168.6 163.8
Conversion losses: 53.8 50.2 28.1 29.6 29.4 25.5
Distribution losses 66.4
and energy industry use: 20.7 18.0 13.8 12.9 13.3 12.9
Total final energy
consumption: 147.3 159.4 150.8 122.5 128.1 125.8 125.0
Final consumption
of which:
Industry 38.7 35.5 23.9 21.3 21.6 20.6 20.4
Domestic 40.8 46.9 48.3 39.4 40.9 34.3 32.2
Transport 48.6 55.5 55.3 40.8 44.4 50.8 52.6
Services2 19.2 21.5 23.2 20.1 21.2 20.0 19.8
Temperature corrected
total inland consumption: 221.6 240.2 211.5 167.3 170.6 171.6 165.9
(1) Excludes non-energy use.
(2) Includes agriculture, commercial, public administration and miscellaneous.

Primary energy consumption fell by 2.9% in 2023 compared to 2022, with the fall due to
households reducing consumption for heating due to higher energy and other prices and
warm weather. In 2023, the average temperature was 0.1 degrees Celsius lower than
2021; on a temperature corrected basis, primary energy consumption was 3.3% lower than
in 2022. In the last 34 years, consumption of natural gas and primary electricity have risen,
whilst consumption of oil and coal have fallen. However, over the past decade, the growth
in consumption of bioenergy and waste has more than doubled.

9
 OVERALL ENERGY
Final energy consumption, 1990 to 2023

2023 Million tonnes of oil equivalent

Industry Transport Domestic Services1 Total
Coal & manufactured fuels 1.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 1.2
Oil 2.2 48.9 2.1 3.5 56.6
Gas 7.5 0.1 20.4 7.7 35.6
Electricity 7.4 0.9 8.0 6.8 23.1
Bioenergy and heat 2.3 2.6 1.6 1.8 8.4
Total 20.4 52.6 32.2 19.8 125.0
(1) Includes agriculture, commercial, public administration and miscellaneous.

Total final energy consumption (excluding non-energy use) was 0.6% lower in 2023
compared to 2022, with a rise in the transport sector offset by falls in all other sectors.
Transport sector consumption rose by 3.6 per cent, with road transport (primarily petrol
and diesel) consumption rising by 0.2 per cent and air consumption rising by 16 per cent
on 2022 levels but remaining 7.2 per cent below pre-pandemic (2019) levels. Domestic
sector consumption fell by 6.0 per cent to a record low level due to warm weather as well
as changes in consumer behaviour arising from higher energy and other prices. Industrial
sector consumption fell by 1.1 per cent to a record low level and service sector
consumption fell by 1.3 per cent with the impact of higher energy and other prices likely a
key factor in the reduced consumption levels.

Overall final energy consumption, when seasonally and temperature adjusted, was down
by 2.1 per cent, with transport consumption up 3.5 per cent but domestic consumption
down by 7.8 per cent.

In terms of fuel types, final consumption of gas, the main fuel used for heating, fell by
5.3%. Oil use rose by 2.7%, bioenergy use rose by 5.4%, but electricity use fell by 1.2%.

10
 OVERALL ENERGY
Import dependency, 1970 to 2023

Percentage
2000 2005 2010 2020 2021 2022 2023
Coal 39% 71% 52% 47% 51% 94% 63%
Gas -11% 7% 40% 46% 57% 46% 46%
Oil -55% -3% 15% 12% 25% 37% 47%
Total -17% 13% 30% 28% 38% 37% 41%

In the 1970’s the UK was a net importer of energy. Following development of oil and gas
production in the North Sea, the UK became a net exporter of energy in 1981. Output fell
in the late 1980’s following the Piper Alpha disaster, with the UK regaining a position as a
net exporter in the mid 1990’s. North Sea production peaked in 1999, and the UK returned
to being an energy importer in 2004. In 2013 imports of petroleum products exceeded
exports following the closure of the Coryton refinery. The UK is now a net importer of all
main fuel types, although in 2022 became a net exporter of electricity for the first time in
over 40 years to help meet demand in France from reduced nuclear output there, before
reverting to a net importer again in 2023. In 2023, 40.8% of energy used in the UK was
imported, up 3.8 percentage points on 2022.

11
 OVERALL ENERGY
Key sources of imports, 1998 to 2023

Note: Other includes manufactured solid fuels, bioenergy & waste and electricity.

Since 1999, when UK energy production peaked, there has been a sharp rise in imports.
Over this period imports doubled, reaching a peak in 2013. In 2010 imports exceeded UK
production, but because the UK still exports large volumes net imports remain below
production levels. However, in 2021 imports exceeded UK production as the UK imported
more fuel to meet increased demand following the Covid-19 pandemic, and again in 2022
as the UK's substantial Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) regasification infrastructure operated
as a land-bridge for increased imports, which were then exported to mainland Europe to
help reduce its dependence on Russian gas. Imports again exceeded production in 2023.

In 2023 imports fell by 6.5%, with rises in imports of petroleum products and electricity, but
falls in imports of coal, primary oil, gas and bioenergy and waste.

Imports are sourced from a wide variety of countries.

Crude oil: The key source of imports has historically been Norway, but in recent years the
US has become the key source of crude oil imports. In 2023 the US accounted for 22%,
whilst Norway accounted for 21% of UK crude oil imports.

Petroleum products: The UK imports a wide variety of petroleum products, while

remaining a net exporter of certain fuels including petrol. Traditionally the Netherlands,
which acts as a major trading hub, has been the largest source of imports. As such, the
Netherlands is the largest supplier of transport fuels. Aviation turbine fuel is generally
sourced from the Middle East.

Gas: Norway accounted for 58% of UK gas imports in 2023, up from 55% in 2022, with the
pipelines from Belgium and The Netherlands used to export rather than import for the
majority of the year. The remaining 42% arrived as LNG of which 61% was from the US,
14% was from Qatar and 9% was from Peru.

12
 OVERALL ENERGY
Proportion of UK energy supplied from low carbon sources,
2000 to 2023

Percentage
2000 2005 2010 2020 2021 2022 2023
Nuclear 8.4% 7.8% 6.3% 6.5% 5.8% 6.1% 5.4%
Wind 0.0% 0.1% 0.4% 3.9% 3.3% 4.1% 4.3%
Solar 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.7% 0.6% 0.7% 0.8%
Hydro 0.2% 0.2% 0.1% 0.4% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3%
Bioenergy 0.9% 1.6% 2.3% 7.4% 7.6% 7.2% 7.2%
Transport
fuels 0.0% 0.0% 0.6% 1.1% 1.0% 1.4% 1.6%
Heat pumps 0.0% 0.0% 0.4% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.8%
Other 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.4%
Total 9.4% 9.7% 10.1% 21.0% 19.6% 20.8% 20.7%

In 2023 the UK obtained 20.7% of its primary energy from low carbon sources, down
marginally on 2022, with 35% of this from bioenergy, 26% from nuclear, and 21% from
wind.
Energy supply from bioenergy fell by 3.1% due to outages, whilst nuclear fell by 15% due
to reduced capacity and outages. Heat pumps rose by 4.0% and solar rose by 3.9% with
capacity up by 9.0% but less sun hours than in 2022.
Energy supply from wind rose by 2.2% in 2023, with capacity up by 4.9% and wind speeds
0.2 knots lower than in 2022. Eight named storms affected the UK during 2023, two in
August (Antoni and Betty) followed by a further six from Agnes (late September) to Gerrit
(late December).

13
 OVERALL ENERGY
Energy and carbon ratios, 1990 to 2023

Index 1990=100
1990 2000 2010 2020 2021 2022 2023
Primary energy consumption* 100 108.4 95.4 75.5 77.0 77.4 74.8
Carbon dioxide emissions 100 93.7 83.6 52.9 55.8 53.7 50.2
GDP 100 128.1 148.4 158.1 171.9 179.3 179.5
Energy ratio 100 84.6 64.3 47.7 44.8 43.2 41.7
Carbon ratio 100 73.2 56.3 33.4 32.5 29.9 27.9
* Temperature corrected primary energy consumption.

The energy ratio is calculated by dividing temperature corrected primary energy

consumption by GDP at constant prices, with the carbon ratio similarly calculated by
dividing carbon dioxide emissions by GDP. Both ratios have fallen steadily, with the energy
ratio declining by around 2½% per year and the carbon ratio declining at a faster pace of
just over 3½% per year.

The downward trends are due to several factors, with improvements in energy efficiency
and the decline in the relative importance of energy intensive industries affecting both
ratios.

Carbon dioxide emissions were 6.6% lower than 2021 and are now 16% lower than 2019.
In 2023 electrical supply emissions were down 20%, industry emissions were down 8.2%,
buildings and products uses emissions were down 6.3%, and domestic transport
emissions were down 1.3%. The largest driver of the long-term fall in emissions has been
the decrease of emissions from power stations, due to the shift in fuel use from coal to gas
and renewables.

14
 CLIMATE CHANGE
Territorial greenhouse gas emissions by gas, 1990 to 2023

Million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent

1990 2000 2010 2020 2021 2022 2023p1
Net carbon dioxide (CO2)
603.6 565.6 504.6 319.1 337.0 324.2 302.8
emissions
Methane (CH4) 150.2 123.7 75.2 57.6 56.9 56.4 :
Nitrous oxide (N2O) 43.9 26.3 20.3 18.5 18.9 18.1 :
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) 12.1 6.4 10.5 8.2 7.6 7.1 :
Perfluorocarbons (PFC) 1.5 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 :
Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) 1.2 1.9 0.7 0.4 0.4 0.3 :
Nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 :
Non-CO2 provisional estimate : : : : : : 81.4
Total greenhouse gas
812.4 724.4 611.6 404.0 421.1 406.2 384.2
emissions
Source: DESNZ (2022 final UK figures and 2023 provisional UK figures)
1 Provisional estimates are not made for individual non-CO2 gases separately.
: data not available.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the UK are provisionally estimated to have decreased
by 6.6% in 2023 from 2022, to 302.8 million tonnes (Mt), and total greenhouse gas
emissions by 5.4% to 384.2 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e). Total
greenhouse gas emissions were 52.7% lower than they were in 1990.

This decrease in 2023 is primarily due to a reduction in gas use for UK electricity
generation and domestic heating.

15
 CLIMATE CHANGE
Territorial greenhouse gas emissions by territorial emissions statistics
sector, 1990 to 2022

Million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent

1990 2000 2010 2020 2021 2022
Electricity and Fuel Supply 281.2 222.3 206.0 83.3 85.5 85.6
Buildings and Product Uses 108.4 120.0 117.8 91.6 95.4 82.8
Agriculture, Waste and LULUCF 137.2 126.7 82.1 68.1 68.2 67.2
Industry 156.4 121.2 78.1 59.7 60.5 57.4
Domestic Transport 129.3 134.2 127.5 101.3 111.4 113.2
Total greenhouse gas emissions 812.4 724.4 611.6 404.0 421.1 406.2
Source: DESNZ (2022 final UK figures)
LULUCF – land use, land use change and forestry

In 2022, net territorial greenhouse gas emissions in the UK were estimated to be 406.2
MtCO2e, a decrease of 3.5% compared to the 2021 figure of 421.1 MtCO2e and 50.0%
lower than they were in 1990. Domestic transport was the largest sector of greenhouse
gas emissions in 2022, accounting for 28% of total emissions. Emissions from domestic
transport increased by 2% in 2022 from 2021 as Covid-19 restrictions were eased,
although were still 10% lower than in 2019. They were down 12% from 1990 levels.

In 2022, GHG emissions from the electricity and fuel supply sectors accounted for 21% of
total emissions and have decreased by 70% since 1990 due to changes in the mix of fuels
being used for electricity generation. Emissions from the buildings and product uses sector
accounted for 20% of total emissions in 2022 and since 1990 emissions from this sector
have decreased by 24%.

16
 SECURITY OF SUPPLY
Reliability – gas and electricity capacity margins – maximum supply and
maximum demand 1993/94 to 2023/24

Source: National Gas and DESNZ, note gas data shown in gas years (Oct-Sep)

Energy security is complex to measure, subsequent charts on individual fuels provide

some insight, this chart aims to provide a view by looking at the difference between
forecast maximum supply and actual maximum demand for gas and electricity.

From 2007/08 to 2014/15 the electricity capacity margin mainly increased year on year,
due to both a decrease in peak demand and an increase in capacity. However, from
2013/14 to 2016/17 the capacity of major power producers fell faster than peak demand
due to plant closures and conversions. This resulted in the capacity margin falling from a
peak of 44% in 2013/14 to 27% in 2016/17, the lowest since 2008/09. Whilst embedded
renewables capacity increased over that period, the intermittent nature of solar and wind
meant it did not cover the drop due to closures of major power producers. A drop in peak
demand in 2018/19 and an increase in renewable generation capacity saw the margin rise
to 43% before falling back around 29% in 2023/24 as additional renewables, particularly
offshore wind, did not fully offset the closure of coal-fired and nuclear plants.

The margin between forecast 1 maximum gas supply and actual maximum gas demand
was 78 per cent in 2023/ 24, stable on 2022/23. This is broadly similar to the 10-year
average. 2017/18 saw a notable peak following severe weather when the UK was hit by
the ‘Beast from the East’.

1
Forecast maximum gas supply is National Gas 5-year view and comparable scenarios for historic
data revised from 2012/13 resulting in a step change where historic data was unavailable.
17
 COAL
Coal production and imports, 1990 to 2023
120

100 Imports
Surface mining
Deep mined
80
Million Tonnes

60

40

20

0
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2023

Million tonnes
1990 2000 2010 2020 2021 2022 2023
Deep mined 72.9 17.2 7.4 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
Surface mining
(including slurry) 19.9 14.0 11.0 1.6 1.0 0.6 0.4
Total 92.8 31.2 18.4 1.7 1.1 0.7 0.5
Coal imports 14.8 23.4 26.5 4.5 4.6 6.4 3.5

Coal production in 2023 was 0.5 million tonnes, 22 per cent lower compared to 2022 and
the lowest level recorded. Deep mined production rose 29 per cent to 81 thousand tonnes
and was 16 per cent of total production. However, against historic volumes, deep mined
production was only 2.9 per cent of 2015 production levels. In 2015 deep mined production
provided nearly a third of total coal production. This was the year that the last large three
deep mines in operation closed - Hatfield, Thoresby and Kellingley. Surface mine
production was down 28 per cent, to a new record low of 425 thousand tonnes with UK
production over the last year being further affected by mine closures and declining
demand for coal use

Imports of coal began in 1970 and grew steadily. In 2001 imports exceeded the level of UK
production for the first time. As annual levels of UK coal production continued to fall,
imports continued to grow and in 2006 reached a new record of 50.5 million tonnes.
Demand from electricity generators declined over the next five years and imports fell
accordingly. However, in the three years from 2011, higher gas prices led to greater
demand for coal from electricity generators and imports rose again up to 2013 when they
stood at 50.6 million tonnes, just above the 2006 record. From 2014 to 2017 imports fell
once more, rose in 2018 before falling again in 2019 and 2020. After rising in 2021 and
2022 imports fell to an all-time low of 3.5 million tonnes in 2023.

18
 COAL
Coal consumption, 1990 to 2023

Million tonnes
1990 2000 2010 2020 2021 2022 2023
Power stations 84.0 46.2 41.5 2.3 2.6 2.3 1.5
Domestic 4.2 1.9 0.7 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.2
Industry 6.3 1.9 2.0 1.2 1.2 1.1 1.0
Services 1.2 0.1 0.1 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.03
Other energy industries 12.5 9.8 7.1 2.9 2.7 2.3 1.7
Total consumption 108.3 59.9 51.4 6.9 7.0 6.1 4.4

In 1990 coal generation was 84 million tonnes and fell steadily after 1991 until 1999.
Following an 11 year high in 2006 (57 million tonnes), coal used by generators fell steadily
between 2006 and 2009 before stabilising then increasing sharply in 2012 due to high gas
prices. Coal use in electricity generation has fallen since 2012, due to an overall decline in
coal power station capacity. After falling to a record low in 2020, coal for electricity
generation fell rose to 2.6 million tonnes in 2021, although this was from a low baseline
following record periods without coal generation in Great Britain in 2020. In 2023 coal for
electricity generation fell again to a new record low of 1.5 million tonnes, while the fuel mix
continues its shift towards other sources of fuel as coal is being phased out.

Demand for coal-fired electricity generation had continued to fall as production favoured
gas, partly due to the carbon price per GWh being higher for coal. The carbon price is a
charge on companies emitting CO2. The increase in other sources of energy for electricity
also contributed to the fall in coal-fired electricity. However, electricity generation for major
power producers as a whole fell by 12 per cent in 2023, with wind generation being the
only fuel recording an increase. Wind generation was up 2.2 per cent to a record 82.3 TWh
due to increased capacity. Just one coal plant Ratcliffe-on-Soar remains operational in the
UK, with plans to close by October 2024.

19
 PETROLEUM
Foreign trade in crude oil and petroleum products, 1990 to 2023
70

60

50 Imports
£ billion

40

30

20

Exports
10

0
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2023

Crude oil and petroleum products £ billion

1990 2000 2010 2020 2021 2022 2023
Exports 8.1 14.7 31.2 23.8 29.5 48.0 33.7
Imports 6.4 9.8 34.5 22.3 29.8 62.6 54.8
Net Imports -1.6 -4.9 3.3 -1.5 0.3 14.5 21.1
Source: Office for National Statistics

Between 1980 and 2003, a surplus in trade led to oil contributing more than £87 billion to
the UK balance of payments. The largest surplus of £8 billion in 1985 reflected high crude
oil production and prices.

However, from 2004 to 2019, the UK became a net importer of oils, though still an exporter
of some oil products. Between 2004 and 2019 the cumulative deficit amounted to just
under £89 billion.

Since the peak of £14.5 billion in 2012, the deficit fell steadily. The UK briefly returned to
being a net exporter in 2020 as both imports and exports fell (by £16.5 billion and £12.8
billion respectively) due to the Covid-19 pandemic. There was also a sharp fall of 34 per
cent in crude oil price (in £ terms) in the same period.

Both imports and exports grew since 2021 with and the UK becoming a net importer again.
In 2023, UK net imports were £21 billion, 46% higher than the previous peak in 2012.

20
 PETROLEUM
Demand by product, 1990 and 2023

Million tonnes
1990 2000 2010 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Energy uses*
Petrol 24.3 21.4 14.6 11.8 9.1 10.2 11.0 11.4
White diesel 10.7 15.6 20.9 23.5 20.3 21.8 22.9 22.9
Jet fuel 6.6 10.8 11.6 12.1 5.2 4.8 9.5 11.1
Burning oil 2.1 3.8 3.7 3.3 3.5 3.2 2.8 3.0
Gas oil 8.0 6.8 5.4 5.1 4.4 4.8 3.0 2.2
Fuel oil 14.0 3.3 1.8 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.3
Other 5.0 -71.9 6.3 5.2 4.4 4.4 4.5 4.7
Total energy
70.7 67.1 64.2 61.3 47.3 49.7 54.2 55.5
uses
Of which:
Transport fuels 43.5 49.5 48.7 48.9 35.7 38.0 43.1 44.3
Industry 7.2 5.5 2.2 2.0 2.0 2.1 2.0 2.0
Refinery fuel use 5.1 5.3 4.4 3.3 2.6 2.6 2.9 3.0
Non-energy uses 9.2 10.1 7.1 6.1 5.9 4.8 4.5 4.1
Total demand 79.8 77.2 71.3 67.4 53.3 54.5 58.7 59.6
* Energy uses includes uses for transformation (e.g., electricity generation) and energy industry own use
(e.g., refinery fuels)

Demand for oil products has declined since 1990; this trend was accelerated by the Covid-
19 pandemic. The mix of products consumed has changed over time and in 2023 total
demand increased by 1.6 per cent on 2022. Most of this increase was from the transport
sector, where demand for jet fuel increased by 16 per cent as the international aviation
sector continues recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic. Jet fuel demand has more than
doubled since 2020, the first year of Covid-19 in the UK. However, demand remains 8.2
per cent down on pre-pandemic 2019. The share of total oil demand taken up by the
transport sector increased to 74 per cent. Transport’s share of total oil demand is
substantially larger than in 1990 because the use of fuel oil for electricity generation has
declined.
21
 PETROLEUM
Demand for road fuels, 1990 to 2023

Since the early 1990s, demand for diesel has increased whilst for petrol has decreased,
and in 2005 demand for diesel became larger than the demand for petrol. This was caused
by an increase in use of diesel-fuelled cars and increase in light goods vehicles (LGVs).
However, demand started to decline from 2018 following tax increases on diesel vehicles.
In 2020 this fall in diesel demand was exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic and
subsequent restrictions on travel. Diesel and petrol demand recovered as restrictions
eased in the latter half of 2021. In 2023, petrol demand continued its recovery with an
increase of 4.4 per cent compared to 2022. Diesel demand was less affected by the
pandemic as commercial motor fleets (light and heavy goods vehicles) continued to
operate during periods of restricted travel. Compared to 2022, total diesel demand
remained stable in 2023.
Demand for road fuels, with diesel demand by vehicle type
Million tonnes
1990 2000 2010 2020 2021 2022 2023
Demand for petrol 24.3 21.4 14.6 9.1 10.2 11.0 11.5
Demand for road diesel 10.4 15.3 20.9 20.3 21.8 21.3 20.4
By vehicle type:
Car & taxi 1.0 4.1 9.0 8.4 9.0 8.8 8.4
Light goods vehicles 1.4 3.5 4.5 5.2 5.8 5.7 5.4
Heavy goods vehicles 6.4 6.2 6.0 6.0 6.4 6.0 5.9
Buses & coaches 1.6 1.5 1.3 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.7

Demand by vehicle type based on modelling by Ricardo Energy & Environment using data from the
National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory.

22
 OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION
UK Continental Shelf production, 1980 to 2023

Million tonnes of oil equivalent

1990 2000 2010 2020 2021 2022 2023
Oil 100.1 138.3 69.0 53.6 44.7 41.3 36.6
Gas 45.5 108.4 55.3 37.8 31.3 36.4 32.9
Total 145.6 246.7 124.3 91.5 76.1 77.8 69.5

In 2023, total indigenous oil and gas production was 69.5 million tonnes of oil equivalent
down 11 per cent on 2022.
Gas production decreased by 9.6 per cent in 2023 compared to 2022 as North Sea output
declines. In 2023, gas production was 70 per cent lower than the 2000 peak. Since the
peak, gas production generally declined until 2015 when new fields opened. Gas
production reached a record low in 2021 due to extensive maintenance but despite
somewhat recovering in 2022 fell in 2023 to just 5.1 per cent above this record.
Oil production decreased by 11 per cent in 2023 compared to 2022 reaching a new record
low. In 2023, oil production was down 76 per cent lower than the 1999 peak. Following this
production has been consistently down except from 2015-2019 when there were increases
due to new fields opening. Production fell in 2020 and 2021 due to restrictions in place to
curb the Covid-19 pandemic and an extensive planned maintenance schedule including
the shutdown of the Forties Pipeline System. Declines in 2022 and 2023 are in line with
expected reductions as North Sea output declines.

23
 OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION
Oil and gas production and reserves, 1980 to 2023

* From 2015, contingent resources have been re-categorised and removed from the probable and proven
reserves category.

1990 2000 2010 2020 2021 2022 2023

Oil: Million tonnes
Cumulative production 1,383 2,579 3,454 3,926 3,967 4,005 4,039
Proven plus probable reserves 1,195 1,010 751 411 357 313 302
Total 2,578 3,589 4,205 4,337 4,324 4,318 4,341
Gas: Billion cubic metres
Cumulative production 762 1,560 2,429 2,833 2,866 2,904 2,938
Proven plus probable reserves 1,200 1,195 520 221 213 189 173
Total 1,962 2,755 2,949 3,054 3,079 3,093 3,111

From 1980, total reserves grew substantially reflecting new discoveries of oil and gas and
the development of new technologies which allowed the exploitation of resources that
were previously regarded as non-commercial. In addition, known fields were included as
they moved from prospective to probable status. Since the mid-90s, estimated proven and
probable reserves have declined as fewer discoveries were made whilst cumulative
production continued to grow.

24
 NATURAL GAS
Natural gas demand, 1990 to 2023

TWh
1990 2000 2010 2020 2021 2022 2023
Electricity generators 6.5 324.6 377.1 232.8 254.5 258.3 205.9
Energy Industries 39.2 102.1 95.9 88.7 79.0 80.2 75.6
Industry 164.6 198.5 118.0 100.7 99.3 89.1 87.7
Domestic 300.4 369.9 389.6 300.2 318.8 259.1 237.1
Services 86.4 110.5 101.6 89.4 98.5 90.2 89.0
Transport .. .. .. 0.9 1.0 1.0 1.0
Total 597.0 1,105.5 1,082.2 812.6 851.2 777.9 696.3

Following the expansion of UK natural gas production in the early 1970s, demand grew
reaching a record high in 2004 of 1,125 TWh. Since then, demand has seen an overall
decline, and in 2023 was almost 40 per cent lower than the 2004 peak. Following several
years of relatively stability demand began to fall in 2022 due to record high temperatures
and gas prices. High temperatures and prices continued in 2023, demand decreasing a
further 10 per cent compared to the previous year.

This decrease was largely the result of reduced gas demand for electricity generation,
which fell 20 per cent due to lower overall electricity demand and record high electricity
imports. Demand by the domestic sector fell 8.5 per cent, reaching lows last seen in the
1970’s. Consumption by services and industrial sectors were
stable on the previous years lows.

25
 NATURAL GAS
UK trade in natural gas, 1990 to 2023

TWh
1990 2000 2010 2020 2021 2022 2023
Natural gas production 528.8 1,260.2 642.5 439.4 364.0 423.6 382.7
Imports 79.8 14.2 606.3 478.2 560.8 618.3 494.9
of which LNG - - 206.8 200.1 159.9 277.8 210.9
Exports - -134.5 -168.2 -106.0 -76.1 -259.9 -175.6
Net imports (+) +79.8 -120.3 +438.1 +372.2 +484.8 +358.4 +319.3
or exports (-)

Following peak indigenous gas production in 2000 the UK has been increasingly reliant on
imports to meet demand. In 2023, the UK remained a net importer of gas. Imports and
exports fell by 20 per cent and 32 per cent respectively, in 2023 compared to record highs
in 2022. 2022 saw record high imports and exports as the UKs liquification and pipeline
infrastructure was utilised as Europe looked to move away from Russian gas.

LNG imports fell by 24 per cent in 2023 compared to the high reached in 2022 but
remained substantial. The US was the largest import source of LNG for the second year in
a row; Qatar remained second largest but Qatari LNG imports fell by 64 per cent in the
same period. Pipeline imports were down by 17 per cent, but Norway remained the largest
import source accounting for 57 per cent of total imports in 2023.

26
 ELECTRICITY
Electricity generated by fuel type, 2022 and 2023

TWh
1990 2000 2010 2020 2021 2022 2023
Coal 229.9 120.0 107.6 5.7 6.8 5.9 3.8

Oil & other fuels* 20.7 13.6 10.5 8.8 9.7 11.1 10.8

Gas 0.4 148.1 175.7 111.9 122.8 125.1 101.7

Nuclear 63.2 85.1 62.1 50.2 46.1 47.4 40.6

Hydro 5.6 5.1 3.6 6.9 5.4 5.7 5.5

Wind & Solar - 0.9 10.3 88.2 77.1 93.9 96.2

Other renewables - 4.3 12.3 38.6 40.0 35.8 34.1

Total electricity
319.7 377.1 382.0 310.3 307.9 324.9 292.7
generated
*Includes generation from pumped storage.

Total electricity generated decreased by 10 per cent between 2022 and 2023, alongside a
1.1 per cent drop in demand to 316.8 TWh. This drop in generation was due to record
electricity imports, lower UK demand and lower exports compared to highs seen in 2022.

The share of generation from renewables increased from 41.7 per cent in 2022 to 46.4 per
cent in 2023, the increase due to lower generation with absolute values broadly stable at
135.8 TWh compared to 135.3 in 2022. Wind and solar generation reached a record high
at 32.9 per cent combined share, due to increases in capacity offsetting slightly less
favourable weather conditions. Generation from nuclear energy fell to 13.9 per cent due to
outages across the nuclear fleet.

Fossil fuel generation shares fell in 2023 in response to strong renewable generation and
increased imports. Gas-fired generation remained the largest single fuel but fell from 38.5
per cent to 34.7 per cent. The share of electricity generated from coal in 2023 fell 0.5
percentage points from 2022 to a record low 1.3 per cent.

Further details on renewable electricity generation can be found on page 32.

27
 ELECTRICITY
Electricity supplied by fuel type, 1990 to 2023

The mix of fuels used to generate electricity continues to evolve, the most marked features
the decline of coal, the rise of gas, and in more recent years renewables.
Coal reached the highest level for ten years in 2006 as nuclear station availability was
reduced and as a substitute for high priced gas. Coal use trended downwards until 2010
when higher winter electricity demand resulted in an increase until 2012 due to high gas
prices. Subsequently, supply from coal has fallen to a record low of 3.2 TWh in 2023.
Between 1990 and 2008, supply from gas increased significantly from 0.4 TWh to a peak
of 173.0 TWh in 2008. Subsequently, supply has fluctuated with a large increase in 2016,
but decreases in 2017 and 2018. Generation from gas fell to 109.1 TWh in 2020 as the
Covid-19 pandemic reduced electricity demand but recovered to 122.3 TWh in 2022.
However, gas demand fell again in 2023 to 98.9 TWh due to lower demand for electricity
and record high imports.
Supply from nuclear peaked in 1998 before falling back, particularly during 2006 to 2008,
as station closures and maintenance outages reduced supply. Nuclear supply has
generally declined each year since 2016 due to outages and reduced capacity, falling to
37.3 TWh in 2023.
Supply from wind and solar increased from 2000 to 2023 as generation capacity
increased, reaching a record 95.7 TWh in 2023, despite wind speeds below the ten-year
average.
Total electricity supplied increased continuously from 1997 to reach a peak in 2005. It has
subsequently followed a downwards trend, reflecting lower demand due to improved
energy efficiency as well as economic factors. Continued high electricity prices and
temperatures in 2023 following 2022 further reduced demand, with supply in 2023 27 per
cent lower than that in 2005.

28
 ELECTRICITY
Electricity capacity, 1996 to 2023

GW
1996 2000 2010 2020 2021 2022 2023
Conventional Steam (1) 43.0 36.8 36.3 11.0 11.1 12.0 8.2
CCGT 12.7 22.9 34.1 31.6 31.6 31.5 32.3
Nuclear 12.9 12.5 10.9 7.8 7.8 5.9 5.9
Pumped Storage 2.8 2.8 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7
Renewable (2) 2.3 3.0 9.3 48.1 49.9 53.5 56.6
Total 73.6 77.9 93.2 101.3 103.1 105.9 105.7
(1) Includes coal, non-CCGT gas, oil and mixed/dual fired. Does not include thermal renewables.
(2) Renewable capacity is on an Installed Capacity basis. Data for other fuels/technologies relates to
Declared Net Capacity from 1996 to 2005, data for 2006 onwards is transmission entry capacity (TEC)

Installed capacity for electricity generation in the UK increased gradually between 1996
and 2018, from 73.6 GW to 106.4 GW before falling back as coal-fired and nuclear plants
closed. Overall, there has been a decline in conventional steam, outweighed initially by an
increase in combined cycle gas turbines (CCGT) and more recently by an increase in
renewables. From 2019, the mix of plants shifted towards renewable technologies with the
closure of large coal-fired and nuclear power plants. 2023 saw total capacity decrease
slightly to 105.7 GW as three of the UK’s remaining coal-fired plants closed. This was
mitigated by increased renewable capacity, in particular a 6 per cent increase in offshore
wind to 14.7 GW and a 9 per cent increase in solar photovoltaics to 16.2 GW.

CCGT capacity increased almost threefold over the period from 1996 to 2012, from 12.7
GW to 35.1 GW. This figure fell over the following years before increasing between 2016
and 2017. Since 2018 CCGT capacity has fallen slightly to 32.3 GW in 2023.
Conventional steam capacity has fallen since 2010 with the closure of coal-fired power
plants, to 5.4 GW in 2023.

Nuclear capacity declined in 2022 to 5.9 GW as Hunterston B and Hinkley Point B closed.
Renewables capacity continued to rise, with an installed capacity in 2023 of 56.6 GW. This
is nearly 25 times the capacity installed in 1996. Offshore wind and solar saw the largest
increase from 2021 to 2023.

29
 RENEWABLES
Small scale renewable capacity (GB), 2010 to 2023

Cumulative Installed Capacity (FITs and MCS) – GB only MW

2010 2012 2014 2016 2020 2021 2022 2023
Micro CHP 6 168 291 496 532 532 532 532
Anaerobic 1 2 2 3 6 6 6 6
Digestion
Hydro 12 40 77 183 236 237 237 237
Wind 20 153 405 632 704 704 704 704
Photovoltaics 86 1,640 2,869 4,769 5,482 5,726 6,261 6,492
Total 125 2,004 3,645 6,082 6,961 7,204 7,740 7,971

Source: Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) and Central FITs register (CFR).

At the end of 2023 7,971 MW of capacity (nearly 1.5 million installations) was installed,
around 3.0% more confirmed capacity (but 15% more installations) than at the end of
2022. Nearly all of the new installations and capacity was Solar PV. Small scale capacity
increased rapidly between 2010 and 2016 but slowed between 2017 and 2020. The
number of small-scale solar PV installations recovered in 2021 and then increased sharply
in 2022 and 2023, with 2023 seeing the most installations in a calendar year since 2015.
Figures have been revised upwards this year following the receipt of a revised database
from the MCS.

These figures are based on MCS data for installations with a capacity lower than 50 kW
and the Central FITs register for installations between 50 kW and 5 MW. Registering with
MCS was a pre-requisite for the Feed in Tariff (FiT) scheme. The FiT scheme was
introduced on 1st April 2010 and is a financial support scheme for eligible low-carbon
electricity technologies. The FiT scheme closed to new entrants at the end of March 2019.

30
 RENEWABLES
Renewable energy sources, 2023

Thousand tonnes of oil equivalent

1990 2000 2010 2020 2021 2022 2023
Solar heating &
photovoltaics, geothermal 7 12 31 1,115 1,080 1,183 1,230
Wind & Marine 1 81 885 6,503 5,583 6,926 7,078
Hydro 448 437 309 591 466 487 476
Heat pumps 0 0 778 1,077 1,121 1,182 1,229
Solid biomass 246 724 2,303 8,478 9,043 8,249 7,750
Biogases 218 900 2,063 2,581 2,680 2,696 2,766
Bioliquids 0 0 1,218 1,892 1,790 2,310 2,636
Waste 183 704 1,165 3,437 3,781 3,732 3,990
Total 1,103 2,859 8,751 25,675 25,544 26,765 27,154

In 2023, bioenergy accounted for 48% of renewable energy sources used, with most of the
remainder coming from wind (26%), waste (15% for both renewable and non
biodegradable waste), heat pumps and solar (4.5% each).

Of the 27.2 million tonnes of oil equivalent (mtoe) of primary energy use accounted for by
renewables, 19.1 mtoe were used to generate electricity, 4.7 mtoe to generate heat, 2.3
mtoe in transport with 0.6 mtoe of biogas injected into the grid. Renewable energy use
grew by 1.5% between 2022 and 2023 and has increased more than nine-fold since 2000.

31
 RENEWABLES
Electricity generation from renewable sources since 2000

TWh
2000 2010 2020 2021 2022 2023
Onshore wind 0.9 7.2 34.9 29.3 35.4 32.6
Offshore wind - 3.1 40.8 35.6 45.1 49.7
Solar PV - 0.0 12.5 12.1 13.3 13.9
Hydro 5.1 3.6 6.9 5.4 5.7 5.5
Landfill Gas 2.2 5.2 3.5 3.3 3.1 3.0
Other Bioenergy 1.7 7.0 35.1 36.7 32.7 31.1
Total Renewables 9.9 26.2 133.6 122.5 135.4 135.8

Electricity generated from renewable sources increased by 0.3% between 2022 and 2023
to 135.8 TWh, a new record figure. The increase on last year is due to more wind and
solar PV capacity, which was partly offset by less favourable weather conditions.
Generation was marginally ahead of 2022, the previous record and 2020, where
generation had been boosted by unusually favourable weather conditions. Capacity grew
by 5.0%, this is a smaller increase than the 7.7% seen in 2022 but up on growth rate seen
in 2020 and 2021 where new capacity was hampered by Covid-19 restrictions.

Despite lower average wind speeds and sun hours, 2023 saw record generation for
offshore wind and solar PV, driven by new capacity. There were also records for anaerobic
digestion and energy from renewable waste. Plant biomass generation decreased by 8.5%
due to outages. Onshore wind generation decreased by 10% due to outages and lower
average wind speeds. Renewable electricity accounted for a record 46.4% of electricity
generated in the UK during 2023, 4.7 percentage points higher than in 2022 because the
sustained renewable output was against a backdrop of lower total generation in 2023.

The map on page 33 shows the capacity of wind farms across the UK with a capacity of 5
MW or more. The locations are representative and not exact.

32
 RENEWABLES
UK Onshore and Offshore Wind Capacity

33
 RENEWABLES
Renewable proportion of Gross Final Consumption

The Gross Final Consumption proportions in the chart reflect the proportion of renewable
electricity and heat consumption before losses; the transport measure is on an actual
consumption basis. The electricity measure excludes the use of electricity in transport
which is allocated to that sector’s measure. Heat represents final consumption for fuels
other than electricity but includes heat sold.

The proportion of electricity generation from renewables increased in 2023 to 46.1 per
cent, in line with the actual generation measure; although renewable generation increased
only marginally (by 0.3%), total electricity consumption dropped. The proportion of heat
from renewable sources has steadily increased from 1.8 per cent in 2007 to 8.4 per cent in
2022, rising by a further 1.0 percentage point to 9.4% in 2023. This reflects the
combination of both lower gas consumption and increasing renewable heat.

Given the dominance of renewable electricity in the overall renewable measure, the impact
of higher renewable electricity supply in 2020 has pushed up the overall measure from
14.3 % in 2022 to 15.5% in 2023.

34
 COMBINED HEAT AND POWER
Combined heat and power, 1994 to 2023

1995 2000 2020 2021 2022 2023

CHP electrical capacity (MWe) 3,354 4,451 6,049 5,958 6,070 6,033
CHP electrical generation (GWh) 14,777 25,245 22,100 21,834 23,772 22,128
CHP heat generation (GWh) 56,830 54,877 40,735 39,500 39,620 38,735
Number of CHP sites
<= 100 kWe 620 560 454 352 359 354
> 100 kWe to 1 MWe 397 533 1,253 1,139 1,185 1,187
>1 MWe to 2 MWe 26 41 215 221 227 225
> 2 MWe to 10 MWe 113 141 260 264 270 265
> 10 MWe + 63 64 70 68 68 68
Total 1,219 1,339 2,252 2,044 2,109 2,099

In 2023, the number of CHP schemes and total electrical capacity both fell slightly; by
0.5% and 0.6% respectively.

Electricity generation decreased by 6.9% in 2023, while heat generation decreased by

2.2% when compared to 2022. Schemes larger than 10 MWe represent 69% of the total
electrical capacity of CHP schemes whereas schemes less than 1MWe constitute the
majority (73%) of the number of schemes. In 2023 CHP schemes accounted for 7.6% of
the total electricity generated in the UK and 8.4% of UK gas demand.

35
 ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Energy intensity, 2000 to 2023

Tonnes of oil equivalent

2000 2010 2020 2021 2022 2023p

Industrial energy consumption 140.0 96.6 76.6 80.7 79.8 79.3

per million units of GVA
Domestic energy consumption 1.9 1.8 1.4 1.5 1.2 1.1
per household
Service sector energy consumption 20.0 17.9 15.2 14.4 13.0 12.8
per million units of GVA
Road passenger energy consumption 38.5 36.1 37.7 34.7 30.9 30.8
per million passenger-kilometres*
Road freight energy consumption 81.4 91.2 99.2 88.0 85.9 89.9
per million freight-kilometres*

* DESNZ estimates for 2023.

Energy consumption per unit of output, known as energy intensity, gives a broad indication
of how efficiently energy is being used over time. Changes in energy intensity occur for
several reasons: process change, technological change and structural change (in the case
of industry and the service sector) as well as efficiency change. The largest falls in energy
intensity in the 21st century have occurred in the industrial sector, mainly due to structural
change in the period before 2000, and in the service sector due to general energy
efficiency improvements. In the domestic sector there has been a general downward trend
in domestic consumption due to improvements in energy efficiency measures, and more
recently due to the impact of higher energy and other prices. The changes in the road
passenger and freight categories since 2020 are a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic
and the subsequent easing of travel restrictions.

36
 ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Energy efficiency measures delivered through Government schemes,

2013 to 2023

Source: DESNZ, Household Energy Efficiency (HEE) National Statistics, detailed report 2023

The Government has introduced several schemes since 2013 to improve the energy
efficiency of households. The biggest of these schemes is the Energy Company Obligation
(ECO) which was introduced in January 2013 to reduce energy consumption and support
people at greater risk of living in fuel poverty. The larger energy companies are set
obligations to install insulation and heating measures to achieve reductions in energy
usage and heating costs. ECO is now in its fourth iteration since it began. ECO4 is set to
run from April 2022 to March 2026.

Other government schemes introduced since 2013 include the Green Homes Grant
Voucher (GHGV) scheme which ran from the end of September 2020 to March 2021.
Measure delivery funded through Green Deal (GD) finance plans began in 2013. The
Local Authority Delivery (LAD) scheme launched in 2020. Phases 1 to 3 of the scheme ran
from October 2020 to December 2023. Phase 1 of the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG)
scheme launched in early 2022 and phase 2 launched in mid-2023. The Social Housing
Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) began delivery in March 2022. The Great British Insulation
Scheme (GBIS) is the newest scheme which began at the end of March 2023. This
scheme runs along ECO4 and focuses on installing the most cost-effective single
insulation measures to the least energy efficient homes.

From January 2013 to the end of December 2023, around 4.1 million energy efficiency
measures were installed in 2.7 million properties under these schemes. In 2023, 265,000
measures were delivered through ECO, 23,600 measures were delivered through SHDF,
20,400 measures through LAD, 5,600 measures through HUG, and 4,000 measures
through GBIS.

37
 ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Number of homes with energy efficiency measures, December 2015 to

December 2023

UK Insulated homes (Thousands)

End of year 2015 2017 2019 2021 2022 2023

Cavity wall insulation 13,310 13,800 14,330 14,800 15,050 15,260
Loft insulation >= 125mm 15,870 16,230 16,650 17,070 17,280 17,510

Source: DESNZ, Household Energy Efficiency (HEE) National Statistics, detailed report 2023 – GB level
data are scaled up to UK level. Full details on how these estimates are constructed, based on the new
methodology, can be found in the HEE statistics methodology note. Figures are rounded to the nearest ten
thousand.

Cost effective methods of improving energy efficiency in homes are to install cavity wall
and loft insulation where these measures are practical. Building Regulations require new
homes to reach thermal efficiency standards which would typically be met by installing
these measures. In addition, existing homes have had these measures retrofitted through
Government schemes or through a DIY loft insulation. These data show the change in the
number of insulated homes as a result of new build and retro fitting insulation via
Government schemes.

The number of homes with cavity wall insulation has increased by 15% between the end of
December 2015 and December 2023 such that 15.3 million of the 21.6 million homes with
cavities, are insulated. The number of homes with loft insulation, of a depth of at least
125mm, has increased by 10% between the end of December 2015 and December 2023
meaning that 17.5 million of the 26.2 million homes with lofts are insulated to this level.

38
 ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Smart meters in Great Britain, December 2012 to December 2023

Total meters (Thousands)

End of year1 2012 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

Domestic
Smart 3 14,514 19,164 22,170 26,135 29,572 32,909
Non-smart 47,726 36,522 32,681 30,267 26,588 23,771 20,842
Non-domestic2
Smart 454 1,135 1,313 1,476 1,634 1,745 1,896
Non-smart 2,424 2,092 1,887 1,807 1,696 1,586 1,423
Total
Smart 457 15,648 20,477 23,646 27,769 31,318 34,805
Non-smart 50,150 38,614 34,568 32,073 28,285 25,357 22,264
Source: DESNZ, Smart Meter Statistics in Great Britain, Quarterly update May 2024.
1. Data for 2013-2017 are not included in this table but can be found in the UK Energy in Brief 2024 dataset.
2. Non-domestic sites include small businesses and microbusinesses; Smart in non-domestic sites includes
both Smart and Advanced meters.

Smart meters are replacing traditional gas and electricity meters as part of a national
infrastructure upgrade that will make our energy system more efficient and flexible,
enabling us to use more renewable energy and reduce our reliance on imported fossil
fuels. They can tell customers how much energy they are using and how much it costs
through an In-Home Display (IHD) which helps customers manage their energy use, save
money and reduce emissions. Smart meters communicate automatically with energy
suppliers, which avoids manual meter reads and provides customers with accurate bills.

At the end of December 2023 there were 34.8 million smart meters operating in Great
Britain. Of these, 31.0 million were smart meters operating in smart mode or advanced
meters. At the end of 2023, 61% of all meters in domestic households were smart,
compared to 57% in smaller non-domestic sites. Overall, 61% of all meters in domestic or
smaller non-domestic sites were smart, an increase of six percentage points from the end
of 2022.

39
 FUEL POVERTY

Households in fuel poverty, 2010 to 2023

25% £500

20% £400

Average fuel poverty gap

Proportion in fuel poverty

15% £300

10% £200

5% £100

0% £0
2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2023
Year
Fuel poverty in England is measured using the Low-Income Low Energy Efficiency
(LILEE).

Under LILEE, a household is considered to be fuel poor if: they are living in a property with
a fuel poverty energy efficiency rating of band D or below; and were they to spend the
required amount to heat their home, they would be left with a residual income below the
official poverty line.
• In 2023, there were an estimated 13.0 per cent of households (3.17 million) in fuel
poverty in England under the Low Income Low Energy Efficiency (LILEE) metric,
effectively unchanged from 13.1 per cent in 2022 (3.18 million).
• In 2023, the average fuel poverty gap (the reduction in fuel bill that the average fuel
poor household needs in order to not be classed as fuel poor) in England was
estimated at £417, up by 20 per cent from £348 in 2022, in real terms.
• The higher number of households in fuel poverty and increase in the average gap
also caused the aggregate fuel poverty gap for England to continue to increase in
2023 (by 20% in real terms) to £1.32 billion (from £1.1 billion in 2022).
Key drivers of fuel poverty, 2022-2023
• Housing and Energy Impact: Rising housing costs led to an estimated 51,000 new
cases of fuel poverty, while a 19% increase in real-term gas and electricity prices
from 2022 to 2023, after government support, is estimated to increase fuel poverty
by around 238,000 households.
• Income and Efficiency Benefits: Targeted income support and cost of living
payments for 2022/23 and 2023/24 have lifted around 179,000 households out of
fuel poverty, with energy efficiency improvements and the Warm Home Discount
further reducing the number by 112,000 households.

40
 FUEL POVERTY

Low income households by FPEER2 band, 2010 to 2023

100%
Proportion of low income households by

80% Not Fuel Poor

60%
FPEER band

A/B/C
D
40% Fuel Poor E
F/G
20%

0%
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

In December 2014 the Government introduced a new statutory fuel poverty target for
England. The target is to ensure that as many fuel poor homes as reasonably practicable
achieve a minimum energy efficiency rating of Band C by 2030 (with interim milestones to
lift as many fuel poor homes in England as is reasonably practicable to Band E by 2020;
and Band D by 2025). Under the LILEE metric a household that achieves a fuel poverty
energy efficiency rating of band C or above would not be fuel poor, and therefore fuel
poverty would be eradicated if all low-income households achieved an energy efficiency
band C rating. Progress towards the fuel poverty target is now measured as the share of
all low-income households who achieve an energy efficiency band C in 2030 and the
interim milestones.
In 2023, slight progress was made towards the 2030 fuel poverty target, with 54.0 per cent
of low-income households living in properties with an energy efficiency rating of A, B or C,
an increase of 39.4 percentage points since 2010 and an increase of 0.9 percentage
points since 2022.
Target year Fuel poverty 2010 (%) 2023 (%) Percentage
target point change

2025 Band D or above 64.6 91.3 26.7

2030 Band C or above 14.6 54.0 39.4

2 Fuel poverty energy efficiency rating (FPEER)

41
 FUEL POVERTY

Energy affordability metrics, 2010 to 2023

55%
Fuel poor (LILEE)
50%
Above 10% costs/AHC_income
45% Above 10% costs/BHC_income
Proportion of households

40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2023

The share of fuel poor (LILEE) households decreased steadily between 2010 and 2019
driven by energy efficiency improvements. Since 2019 this has showed very little change
as energy efficiency progress was offset by income changes during the pandemic followed
by rising energy prices.

Energy prices have risen sharply since 2020, so even those not in fuel poverty as
measured by the main Government metric for England may struggle with their energy bills.
Two different measures are presented looking at shares of money spent on energy both
after housing costs have been accounted for (AHC), and before housing costs (BHC).
These 10% affordability measures are much more sensitive to energy prices. Using the
AHC indicator, the percentage of households exceeding this threshold more than doubled
from 18.0 per cent in 2020 to 48.9 percent in 2023 but is projected to start falling in 2024
as prices are projected to fall. The BHC measure will always be lower than AHC and up to
2021 was lower than the LILEE metric. This is estimated to have doubled to 36.0 per cent
in 2023 from 17.6 per cent in 2022.

42
 PRICES
Fuel price indices for the industrial sector, 1990 to 2023

300
Coal
Electricity
250 Gas
Heavy fuel oil
Real prices (2010=100)

200

150

100

50

0
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2023

Real prices, 2010 = 100

1990 2000 2010 2020 2021 2022 2023
Coal 103.1 63.5 100.0 70.3 97.7 182.2 214.8
Electricity 87.5 60.8 100.0 124.2 140.1 191.5 243.2
Gas 75.3 46.0 100.0 84.2 121.3 201.9 219.3
Heavy fuel oil 26.9 33.8 100.0 75.4 88.4 144.6 167.4
Industrial prices 77.4 52.6 100.0 110.8 129.9 187.2 229.9
Includes the Climate Change Levy that came into effect in April 2001

Industrial prices, in real terms, steadily fell from the mid-1980s until 2003 where they
were at their lowest. Industrial prices then rose again reaching a peak in 2013 before
steadily falling and rising again to a new peak in 2019. Industrial prices fell in 2020,
however, in 2021 coal, electricity, gas and heavy fuel oil prices all increased and in
both 2022 and 2023, saw further increases.

Compared to the previous year, in 2022 industrial electricity prices, in real terms,
were up by 27% and were the highest on record. Gas prices were up by 8.6%. Coal
prices paid for by industry were up by 18%. Industrial heavy fuel oil prices in real
terms were up by 16%.

Over the last five years industrial gas prices, in real terms, have increased by 100%
and electricity prices have increased by 113%.

43
 PRICES
Fuel price indices for the domestic sector, 1996 to 2023

250

Electricity
Real prices including VAT (2010=100)

200
Gas
Solid fuels
Liquid fuels

150

100

50

0
1996 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2023

Real prices including VAT, 2010 = 100

1996 2000 2010 2020 2021 2022 2023
Solid fuels 58.7 60.0 100.0 103.7 107.2 124.8 130.2
Electricity 81.5 69.1 100.0 92.9 93.2 168.5 186.1
Gas 56.6 51.1 100.0 129.6 138.3 196.1 208.1
Liquid fuels 45.5 54.1 100.0 62.8 82.9 146.9 109.5
Domestic fuels 67.4 60.5 100.0 111.3 116.7 182.7 196.9

Source: Consumer Price Index, Office for National Statistics

Compared to 2022, total domestic energy prices in total for 2023 increased in real
terms by 7.8%. Over the same period, liquid fuels decreased by 25%, gas prices
increased by 10%, electricity prices increased by 6.1% and solid fuels increased by
4.3%.

Comparing prices in 2023 with prices 10 years prior, real prices for domestic fuels
overall increased by 64%. The real price of electricity increased by 81%, solid fuels
increased by 25%, gas increased by 50% and liquid fuel prices decreased by 11%.

44
 PRICES
Petrol and diesel prices, 1990 to 2023

160

Petrol (ULSP) Pump prices1

140
Diesel (DERV)
120

100
pence per litre

80

60

40

20
Excluding taxes and duty1
0
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2023
1 Deflated using GDP (market prices) deflator (2010 = 100)

Current retail prices Pence/litre

Petrol (ULSP) Diesel
1990 42.0 40.5
2000 79.9 81.3
2005 86.8 90.9
2010 116.9 119.3
2015 111.1 114.9
2020 113.9 119.1
2021 131.3 134.9
2022 164.7 177.7
2023 147.7 158.2

In cash terms the price of Ultra Low Sulphur Petrol (ULSP) cost 17 pence per litre
less and diesel cost 19 pence per litre less in 2023 than in 2022.

In real terms the price of petrol was 16% lower and diesel was 17% lower in 2023
compared to 2022. In 2023 taxes and duty accounted for 53% of the retail price of
unleaded and 50% of the price of diesel.

45
 PRICES
Domestic supplier transfers, 2003 to 2023

7,000
Electricity
6,000 Gas
Number of Customer Accounts (000s)

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

0
2003 2005 2010 2015 2020 2023

Number of households switching domestic energy supplier, 2003 to 2021, in 000s

(000s) 2003 2005 2010 2020 2021 2022 2023

Electricity 4,204 4,405 4,750 5,811 4,502 893 1,867
Gas 3,059 3,511 3,556 4,336 3,082 566 1,195
Please note: the number of customers switching supplier shown in the graph is based on the number of
meter points a supplier gains from another following a customer choice to change their supplier. This number
does not include either internal switches among white labels or brands associated with the same supplier or
customer transfers resulting from corporate changes, company mergers and Supply of Last Resort events.

Source: Transfer Statistics, Ofgem

The number of households that switched energy suppliers in Great Britain increased by
111% for gas and increased by 109% for electricity between 2022 and 2023.

The increase in transfers in 2023 were affected by reductions in the Ofgem Default Tariff
cap (the price cap 3) and allowing for more competitive tariffs being offered from energy
companies for both electricity and gas.

3 https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/energy-policy-and-regulation/policy-and-regulatory-programmes/default-tariff-cap
46
 CONTACTS

Topic Contact Telephone e-mail

General enquires about energy.stats@energysecurity.gov.uk
energy statistics

Total energy statistics Kevin Harris 0747 135 8194 energy.stats@energysecurity.gov.uk

Energy Intensity

Climate Change Christopher 0782 441 6228 greenhousegas.statistics@energysecurity.gov

Waite .uk

Coal and other solid fuels Chris Michaels 0774 159 8039 coalstatistics@energysecurity.gov.uk

Petroleum production & Anwar Annut 0739 186 4886 oil.statistics@energysecurity.gov.uk

Natural gas production gas.stats@energysecurity.gov.uk

Petroleum consumption Alasdair 0751 116 4502 oil.statistics@energysecurity.gov.uk

Campbell

Natural gas consumption Alice Heaton 0775 277 8975 gas.stats@energysecurity.gov.uk

Electricity Vanessa Martin 0776 757 3907 electricitystatistics@energysecurity.gov.uk

Renewables William Spry 0782 519 4608 renewablesstatistics@energysecurity.gov.uk

Combined Heat and Power Liz Waters 0747 135 8441 energy.stats@energysecurity.gov.uk

Energy Efficiency Tom Joss 0774 170 1212 energyefficiency.stats@energysecurity.gov.uk

Installations

Smart Meters Mita Kerai 0747 135 8256 smartmeter.stats@energysecurity.gov.uk

Fuel Poverty Georgina 0774 170 1232 fuelpoverty@energysecurity.gov.uk

Smalldridge

Energy prices William Nye 0787 603 8720 energyprices.stats@energysecurity.gov.uk

47
 CONVERSION FACTORS AND DEFINITIONS

To convert from the units on the left-hand side to the units across the top multiply by the
value in the table.

Thousand TJ GWh Million

to: toe therms
from: Thousand toe 1 41.868 11.63 0.39683
TJ 0.023885 1 0.27778 0.0094778
GWh 0.085985 3.6 1 0.034121
Million therms 2.52 105.51 29.307 1

Data relating to the energy content of fuels are on a gross calorific value basis.

Prices are presented in real terms i.e., the effect of inflation has been removed by
adjusting each series using the GDP deflator.

The symbol ‘-’ is used in the tables where the figure is nil or not separately available, and
‘..’ is used to indicate ‘not available’.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is the source of all data except where
stated.

All data within this publication are classified as National Statistics, except those on page
39 which are classified as Official Statistics.

All figures are for the United Kingdom, except for pages 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 and 46.

48
 REFERENCES
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) also produces the following
energy and climate change statistics publications:

The Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics is the annual energy statistics
publication of DESNZ. With extensive tables, charts and commentary covering all the
major aspects of energy, it provides a detailed and comprehensive picture of the last three
years and a detailed picture for the last five years. It includes detailed information on the
production and consumption of individual fuels and of energy as a whole. The 2024
edition, published on 30 July 2024, is available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/digest-of-uk-energy-statistics-dukes

The Energy Flow Chart is an annual publication illustrating the flow of primary fuels from
home production and imports to their eventual final uses. They are shown in their original
state and after being converted into different kinds of energy by the secondary fuel
producers. The 2024 edition of the chart, published on 30 July 2024, shows the flows for
2023 and is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/energy-flow-charts

Energy Trends is a quarterly publication of statistics on energy in the United Kingdom. It

includes tables, charts and commentary covering all major aspects of energy. It provides
a comprehensive picture of energy production and use, to allow readers to monitor trends
during the year. https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/energy-trends
Monthly updates to tables in Energy Trends split by fuel source are also available.

Energy Consumption in the United Kingdom brings together statistics from a variety of
sources to produce a comprehensive review of energy consumption and changes in
intensity and output since the 1970s, with a particular focus on trends since 2000. The
information is presented in five key themes covering overall energy consumption, energy
intensity by sector, primary energy consumption, end uses and electrical products
consumption and stock.
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/energy-consumption-in-the-uk

UK Greenhouse Gas Emissions statistics are produced by DESNZ to show progress

against the UK’s goals, both international and domestic, for reducing greenhouse gas
emissions.
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/uk-greenhouse-gas-emissions-statistics

Household Energy Efficiency statistics are published by DESNZ on the Energy

Company Obligation (ECO) and Green Deal (GD). The headline release presents monthly
updates of ECO measures and quarterly updates of in-depth ECO statistics, carbon
savings and the Green Deal schemes. The detailed report presents annual updates on in-
depth Green Deal statistics and insulation levels.
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/household-energy-efficiency-national-statistics

Smart Meters statistics are produced by DESNZ on the roll-out of smart meters in Great
Britain, and covers both operating and installed meters.
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/smart-meters-statistics

Fuel Poverty statistics are produced by DESNZ to support the Fuel Poverty Strategy for
England.
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fuel-poverty-statistics

49
 REFERENCES
Energy Prices is a quarterly publication that contains tables, charts and commentary
covering energy prices, to domestic and industrial consumers, for all the major fuels. It
also presents comparisons of fuel prices in the European Union and G7 countries.
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/quarterly-energy-prices

Sub-National Energy Consumption statistics are produced by DESNZ to emphasise

the importance of local and regional decision making for energy policy in delivering a
number of national energy policy objectives.
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-energy-security-and-net-
zero/about/statistics

DESNZ has constructed a National Energy Efficiency Data-framework (NEED) to

enable detailed statistical analysis of energy efficiency. The data framework matches the
gas and electricity consumption data collected for DESNZ sub-national energy
consumption statistics and records of energy efficiency measures in the Homes Energy
Efficiency Database (HEED) run by the Energy Saving Trust (EST), as well as typographic
data about dwellings and households.
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-energy-efficiency-data-need-
framework

50
Accredited official statistics

These statistics are accredited official statistics. Accredited official statistics are called National
Statistics in the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007.

These accredited official statistics were independently reviewed by the Office for Statistics
Regulation (OSR) in September 2018. They comply with the standards of trustworthiness,
quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics.

Our statistical practice is regulated by the Office for Statistics Regulation.

OSR sets the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for
Statistics that all producers of official statistics should adhere to.

You are welcome to contact us by emailing energy.stats@energysecurity.gov.uk with any

comments about how we meet these standards.

Alternatively, you can contact OSR by emailing regulation@statistics.gov.uk or via the OSR
website.
© Crown copyright 2024

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated.
To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the
Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email:
psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk.

Where we have identified any third-party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the
copyright holders concerned.

Any enquiries regarding this publication should be sent to us at: energy.stats@energysecurity.gov.uk

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