Mercedes Mullins
Fossil fuels are used extensively in the UK for energy production, with coal, oil, and natural gas being the most commonly used types. In 2022, fossil fuels accounted for 78.4% of the country's primary energy consumption. However, there has been a downward trend in fossil fuel usage, with a shift towards renewable energy sources. The UK government has made commitments to reduce carbon emissions and increase the generation of electricity from renewable sources, with a legally binding target of achieving net-zero emissions across the economy by 2050. While the use of coal has declined sharply, natural gas usage remains high, and the UK continues to produce and import significant amounts of oil and gas.
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuels used for electricity generation
Fossil fuels, formed over millions of years by the decomposition and compression of dead plant and animal matter, are used for electricity generation in the UK. In 2022, the UK's primary energy consumption was 78.4% fossil fuels, with coal, oil and gas being the most commonly used. This is a decrease from 87.2% in 2012, due to a decline in the use of coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel.
Electricity generation accounted for around a third of the UK's total fuel usage in 2022. The UK's electricity generation from fossil fuels has been decreasing, with coal production being scaled back in favour of gas-fuelled generation. In the first three months of 2023, wind power generated more electricity than gas for the first time.
The UK government has committed to net-zero emissions across the economy by 2050, with plans for all electricity to be generated from "clean" sources by 2035. This will involve a reduction in fossil fuel usage, with demand for electricity generated from low-carbon sources expected to increase by 40-60% by 2035. Scotland aims to have a carbon-free electricity sector by 2032, with a focus on renewable energy sources.
Despite the shift towards renewable energy, fossil fuels are still deemed indispensable in many industries. The UK has approved new oil and gas production projects, such as the Rosebank field, which may begin production in late 2026. The government argues that these projects will help secure domestic energy supply and reduce reliance on energy imports. However, critics argue that investing in renewables would be a more effective way to lower customer bills and boost energy security.
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The UK's fossil fuel imports and exports
In 2022, the most recent full year for which data is available, 78.4% of the UK's primary energy consumption came from fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas. This represents a decrease from 87.2% in 2012, mainly due to the declining use of coal. In 2023, the UK's crude oil production amounted to 715,000 barrels per day, a decrease from the previous year and the lowest production volume since the country discovered offshore reservoirs.
The UK has historically imported a significant amount of its fossil fuels, with natural gas and oil being the main components of primary energy supply. In 2010, the UK was almost self-sufficient in natural gas production, but by 2021, it had become a significant importer, with imports totalling £19.6 billion, a 312% increase from 2020. The UK has also been a net importer of electricity, typically importing about 5%.
In recent years, the UK has taken steps to reduce its reliance on fossil fuel imports and transition to cleaner energy sources. In 2023, the UK banned imports of Russian gas and committed to ending imports of Russian oil and coal, citing concerns over energy security and the country's invasion of Ukraine. In 2022, renewables and nuclear power generated more UK electricity than gas and coal combined for the first time. Additionally, the UK has set a legally binding target to be net-zero across the economy by 2050, with all electricity to be generated from clean sources by 2035.
Despite these efforts, the UK continues to produce and approve new oil and gas fields, such as the Rosebank project, which may begin production in late 2026. In 2022, the UK issued hundreds of new oil and gas licenses and confirmed plans to build new gas-fired power stations. Critics argue that investing in renewables would be a more effective way to lower customer bills and boost energy security.
In terms of fossil fuel exports, the UK has also seen notable developments. In 2022, exports of fuels to EU countries exceeded £3 billion in a single month for the first time since records began in 1997. The UK's exports of gas increased by 185% from 2020 to 2021, reaching record levels in April 2022, driven by European demand and the destabilization of existing gas supply chains due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
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Fossil fuel consumption in the UK
The UK has committed to reducing its carbon dioxide emissions and has set a target of generating 20% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020, with a specific goal of 15% for the country. In 2019, the UK's total energy consumption was 142.0 million tonnes of oil equivalent, with an energy consumption per capita of 2.78 tonnes of oil equivalent, higher than the world average of 1.92.
The UK has seen a shift in its energy sources over time. In 2010, the country was almost self-sufficient in gas production, but by 2016, it was importing 40% of its gas. Oil production is also projected to decrease, with forecasts suggesting a halving of output between 2020 and 2035. Despite this, the UK approved production at its largest undeveloped oil and gas field, Rosebank, which may begin in late 2026.
The UK has also seen an increase in the use of renewable energy sources, with wind power being the fastest-growing supply. In 2019, zero-carbon electricity production overtook fossil fuels for the first time, and renewable generation hit a record high of 85.1%, including wind, solar, nuclear, and hydropower. In 2022, electricity generation accounted for around a third of the UK's total fuel usage, with natural gas usage remaining high despite a decline in coal usage.
To meet its net-zero targets, the UK government has stated that all electricity should be generated from clean sources by 2035, with the remaining non-electric energy use to be net zero by 2050. This will likely lead to a further decrease in fossil fuel consumption in the country.
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The UK's transition to renewable energy
Fossil fuels, formed over millions of years by the decomposition and compression of dead plant and animal matter, are used for energy production in the UK. In 2022, the majority (78.4%) of the UK's primary energy consumption came from fossil fuels, mainly coal, oil and gas. However, the UK has been transitioning towards renewable energy sources and reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.
The UK government has made commitments to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and increase the proportion of renewable energy in the country's energy mix. In 2019, the UK was one of Europe's leaders in the growth of renewable energy generation. That year, zero-carbon electricity production overtook fossil fuels for the first time, with wind, solar, nuclear and hydropower as the main sources of renewable energy.
The UK has set a legally binding target to be net-zero across the economy by 2050, with all electricity to be generated from "clean" sources by 2035. To achieve this, the UK plans to introduce a capacity mechanism and contracts for difference to encourage the building of new generation. Scotland, for example, aims to have a carbon-free electricity sector based on renewable energy sources by 2032.
Despite the transition to renewable energy, the UK still relies on fossil fuels for a significant proportion of its energy. In 2022, natural gas and oil contributed 46.4% and 45.8%, respectively, to the UK's total CO2 emissions from fuel combustion. The UK government has argued that new oil and gas production will help secure domestic energy supply and reduce reliance on hostile states, especially in light of the disruption to the gas market caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. However, critics argue that investing in renewables would be a more effective way to lower customer bills and boost energy security.
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The UK's fossil fuel production
The UK has pledged to reach "net zero" by 2050, meaning that no additional planet-warming greenhouse gases will be added to the atmosphere. To achieve this, the UK needs to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and increase its use of renewable and low-carbon energy sources. Despite this pledge, the UK is still one of the countries with the highest oil consumption worldwide.
In 2022, the majority of the primary energy consumed in the UK (78.4%) came from coal, oil, and natural gas, which are all fossil fuels. This is a decrease from 87.2% in 2012, mainly due to the declining use of coal, which is the dirtiest fossil fuel. In 2022, natural gas and oil contributed to 46.4% and 45.8%, respectively, of the UK's total CO2 emissions from fuel combustion. Electricity generation accounted for about a third of the UK's total fuel usage in 2022, with natural gas usage remaining high. The UK produced 60% of its consumed natural gas in 2010, but by 2014, it had become a net importer of natural gas, with imports accounting for 40% of its total primary energy supply.
Indigenous fossil fuel production in the UK increased in 2018 and 2019, mainly due to increased oil production, which amounted to approximately 1.12 million barrels per day in 2019. In 2019, the UK's total energy consumption was 142.0 million tonnes of oil equivalent, with an energy consumption per capita of 2.78 tonnes of oil equivalent, higher than the world average of 1.92 tonnes. In 2023, the demand for electricity in the UK was 29.6 GW on average, supplied through a combination of UK-based generation (235 TWh) and energy imports (24 TWh).
The UK has taken some steps towards reducing its fossil fuel consumption and increasing its use of renewable energy sources. In 2019, renewables contributed to 38.9% of the UK's electricity generation, and in 2023, wind power generated more electricity than gas for the first three months. Scotland, in particular, has made significant progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and has set ambitious targets for a carbon-free electricity sector based on renewable energy sources by 2032. However, the UK government has been criticized for its lack of progress in meeting its climate targets, and the expansion of fossil fuel production is not in line with its net-zero commitments.
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Frequently asked questions
Fossil fuels are used for energy production and electricity generation. Fossil fuels are also used as a source of power for heating and transport systems.
The most commonly used fossil fuels in the UK are petroleum, coal, and natural gas.
In 2022, 78.4% of the UK's primary energy consumption came from fossil fuels. This is down from 87.2% in 2012.
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