The UK's consumption of energy increased by 3.2 per cent last year, reversing a downward trend over the last five years, according to official Government data released today.
Increased energy consumption between 2009 and 2010 impacted on carbon dioxide emissions, which are estimated to be around 4 per cent higher in 2010 than in 2009.
According to the Digest of UK Energy Statistics 2011, released today by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, the UK is switching away from nuclear generated power as gas and coal increase their share as sources of energy.
In 2010 the proportion of UK electricity generated from renewables was 6.8 per cent. On the basis of the policy measurement of the contribution of renewables eligible under the Renewables Obligation to UK electricity sales, 2010 showed a 0.3 percentage point increase, with the percentage increasing from 6.7 per cent in 2009 to reach 7.0 per cent in 2010.
Installed electrical generating capacity of renewable sources rose by 15 per cent in 2010, mainly as a result of a 42 per cent increase in offshore wind capacity, a 16 per cent increase in onshore wind capacity and a 9 per cent increase in the capacity of sites fuelled by biomass and wastes.
Total renewables, as measured by the 2009 EU Renewables Directive, accounted for 3.3 per cent of energy consumption in 2010 up from 3.0 per cent in 2009.
Coal consumption increased by 5.2 per cent in 2010. There was a 4.4 per cent increase in consumption by major power producers (consumers of 85 per cent of total coal demand). Twenty-eight per cent of the electricity generated in the UK came from coal in 2010, up from 27 per cent in 2009. The domestic sector accounted for only 1.4 per cent of total coal consumption.
The nation's coal production was 3.0 per cent higher in 2010 compared to 2009. Imports of coal were lower compared to 2009 (by 30.5 per cent).
Electricity supplied from nuclear sources fell in 2010, accounting for 56.5 TWh out of the total electricity supply of 363.8 TWh (16 per cent).
An increase in residential gas use, combined with fuel switching away from nuclear power to coal and gas for electricity generation increased emissions of carbon dioxide by 3.8 per cent in 2010.
Responding to the Government statistics, Friends of the Earth's Head of Science, Policy and Research Mike Childs said: "The UK is becoming ever more dependent on foreign gas, importing 30 per cent more in 2010 than in 2009.
"Not only are householders suffering rocketing fuel bills caused by hikes in gas prices - our energy supplies are increasingly vulnerable.
"Only a switch to clean British power and slashing energy waste will cut fuel bills and secure our energy in the long run.
"The Government must halt our dash for gas, insulate our homes and boost the UK's fledgling green power sector."
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