What is the Energy Mix? (Edexcel GCSE Geography A)

The UK's Energy Mix

• A country's energy mix is the percentage that each energy source contributes to the total energy consumption

• The energy mix in countries varies depending on the level of development

• Most developed countries have a wider use of renewables and nuclear energy

UK's energy mix

• In the UK, coal provided over 80% of energy at the start of the 1960s

  • Coal has become less significant due to:

    • Government policies favouring cleaner fuels

    • Cost versus profits from mining make non-viable as a fuel

  • Oil remains important for transport

  • The use of coal decreased to 2% in 2023

• Energy consumption overall has fallen by 13% since 1970

• The reduction in energy consumption is the result of

  • Declining manufacturing industry 

  • Reduced domestic energy consumption due to energy efficient appliances, improved insulation, etc.

UK energy sources for electricity production 1990

• In 2015, UK electricity production relied on a mix of energy sources, with the reliance on fossil fuels reduced and renewable energy sources increased

• Over 50% of electricity is still produced using fossil fuels

UK energy sources for electricity production 2015

• The use of renewable energy continues to increase

• In 2023, 43% of electricity in the UK was generated using renewable sources

What percentage of UK energy is imported?

• In 2021, 37% of the UK's energy sources were imported at a cost of £117 billion (2023)

  • This includes 50% of the gas used

• This is a decrease from 50% in 2010

• To further reduce imports, the UK government has considered several options, including:

  • Awarding 100 new North Sea oil and gas licences

  • Investing in low-carbon hydrogen projects and nuclear power

What are the global variations in energy demand?

• The UK's energy mix is typical of developed countries with a range of energy sources

• The energy mix of emerging and developing countries is less varied than those of developed countries

• Emerging countries tend to be more dependent on fossil fuels

• The developing countries are dominated by biofuels, which is mostly fuel wood used for heating and cooking, particularly in rural areas

What factors affect the global variation in the energy mix?

• The energy mix of each country is dependent on:

  • Population

  • Wealth

  • Availability of energy resources

Population

• The larger the population a country has, the more energy is needed

  • China has a wider variety of energy sources than other emerging countries due to its large population

Wealth

• A country's wealth impacts the energy sources used because:

  • Developing countries are less able to invest in a wider range of energy sources

  • Even where they have energy sources, they may not be able to exploit them

Availability of energy resources

• Some countries have more energy sources available to them

  • Qatar has significant gas reserves, which means that over 90% of its energy comes from gas

  • The UK has a range of energy options, which means that its energy mix is varied

  • Other countries, such as Greece, do not have energy resources and rely on imported energy sources