ENERGY IN THE UK

Changing UK energy mix

-UK has traditionally relied on fossil fuels, helped by discovery of large gas reserves under North Sea.-Use of nuclear energy to produce electricity increased during 1990s.-Recent shift towards renewable energy sources(wind+bioenergy most common).

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Reduced supplies of fossil fuels - oil and gas

-North Sea oil+gas reserves are being rapidly used up+production has been declining since 2000.

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Reduced supplies of fossil fuels - coal

-Coal production has fallen hugely since mid-20th century,decline in demand due to effort to reduce CO2 emissions+cost of mining remaining reserves is increasing. - Last deep coal mine in UK closed Dec.2015.

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Fracking

-Use of shale gas from underground is being considered in UK.-Extracted using process called fracking: fluid is pumped into shale rock at high pressure, causing it to crack-forces gas trapped in rock to flow back out of a well, where it is collected.

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Exploitation of energy sources - economic issues

-Expensive+cost of extraction increases as reserves are used up.-North Sea oil is expensive to produce(could cost more to produce than it can be sold for).-Cost of producing electricity from nuclear/renewables is quite high.-UK imports some energy.

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Exploitation of energy sources - environmental issues

-Burning fossil fuels releases CO2 and other greehhouse gasses.-Fracking may pollute groundwater+cause mini-earthquakes.-Accidents(e.g. oil spills) can leak toxic chemicals into water sources,soils+atmosphere.-Natural ecosystems can be damaged.

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ENERGY IN THE UK

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