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Four Charts Showing How Far The UK Has Come In Tackling The Energy Crisis

Four Charts Showing How Far The UK Has Come In Tackling The Energy Crisis
Lucy Sherriff
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In 2014, the UK's coal use fell to levels last since during the late 1800s in the industrial revolution, while energy use fell to its lowest level for half a century.

New data from the Department for Energy & Climate Change (DECC) also revealed a 10% decrease in carbon emissions, which is the largest ever fall alongside economic growth.

Using the government's data, The Carbon Brief pulled together four charts showing exactly what happened to the UK's energy mix during 2014.

Graphs
Lowest energy use for half a century, despite economy growth. Coal use lowest levels since 1800s industrial revolution(01 of06)
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(credit:UK primary energy use by source. Source: DUKES table 1.1.1. Chart by Carbon Brief.)
Solar power output doubles, wind power at nearly 10%(02 of06)
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(credit:The UK power mix in 2014. Source: DUKES table 5.5. Chart by Carbon Brief.)
Coal generation falls 23%, renewables up by 21%(03 of06)
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(credit:Sources of electricity generation in the UK. Source: DUKES table 5.5. Chart by Carbon Brief. )
Fossil fuels claim a record low share of UK energy (04 of06)
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(credit:The UK's energy mix since 1990. Source: DUKES table 1.1.1. Chart by Carbon Brief.)
Transport up, industry, homes and "other" down (05 of06)
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(credit:UK energy use by final user. Source: DUKES table 1.1.5. Chart by Carbon Brief.)
.. But there's still a long way to go.(06 of06)
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As the Carbon Brief notes, electricity is a relatively small amount in the overall scheme of things, while a huge proportion of energy used for generating electricity is wasted due to heat losses from thermal power plants, and electricity losses during transmission. (credit:DECC and the Office for National Statistics)
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