Decline in UK’s production and use of ‘primary fuel’

Primary fuel production in the UK has fallen, according to the latest figures released by DECC. Primary fuel is energy in the form that it is harvested from nature before […]

Primary fuel production in the UK has fallen, according to the latest figures released by DECC.

Primary fuel is energy in the form that it is harvested from nature before any conversion takes place. Production in the three months up to June stood at 28.7 million tonnes of oil equivalent, 9.3% lower than for the same quarter last year.

Production of coal and other solid fuels, natural gas, petrol and nuclear electricity all fell with the drop in petrol and gas production attributed to a general decline as well as maintenance activity. Only wind and natural flow hydro electricity production increased going up by just under 50%

There was also a decrease in consumption of primary fuels down 2.4% to 46.7 million tonnes of oil equivalent for the second quarter of 2013.

When adjusted for temperature changes and annualised the figures showed a 2.9% drop. There was a fall in the use of natural gas, coal and other solid fuels as well as nuclear electricity. Consumption of petroleum was unchanged. Wind and natural flow hyrdo electricity was the only area to see an increase, going up by just under 45%.

DECC also released figures for energy prices in the UK. Adjusting for inflation, domestic electricity prices including VAT were 5.9% higher in the second quarter when compared same period last year and domestic gas prices including VAT were 6.5% higher.

Monthly figures shows prices at then pump are also on the increase. In month up to mid August petrol prices went up 2.4 pence per litre and diesel prices went up 2.2 pence per litre. Extended back over a year prices increased by 3 and 2.4 pence per litre respectively.

DECC will publish more quarterly energy figures later this month.

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