Energy made in the UK drops

Production of virtually all forms of energy except for wind and hydro fell in the UK between April and June 2012 compared to the year before. Oil and gas production […]

Production of virtually all forms of energy except for wind and hydro fell in the UK between April and June 2012 compared to the year before.

Oil and gas production stood at 31.5 million tonnes of oil equivalent for the second quarter of 2012, 10% lower than the same period a year ago, continuing a drop seen at the start of the year.

The latest DECC statistics put the drop down to maintenance works at some fields in the UK Continental Shelf while production at others slowed. Electricity from nuclear power fell 3.3%.

In contrast 3.6% more electricity was generated from wind and natural flow hydro than the same period last year.

As for the electricity Brits used, coal made up a much larger portion than the year before, with the amount coal and solid fuels used for energy leaping by a fifth (23%). Gas use fell by 6.7%.

The figures suggest the UK relied more on imported energy than a year ago, a trend seen during the first three months of 2012, because of the fall in oil and gas production.

 

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