Electricity

Section 5 – Electricity
Key results show: Electricity generated in the first quarter of 2013 rose by 0.7 per cent, from 100.1 TWh a year earlier to 100.8 TWh. (Chart 5.1). Renewables’ share of electricity generation increased from 11.3 per cent in the first quarter of 2012 to 12.3 per cent in the first quarter of 2012. (Chart 5.2). Shares of generation between fuels were broadly unchanged in the first quarter of 2013 compared to a year earlier. Coal’s share decreased from 42.0 per cent to 41.2 per cent, whilst gas’s share of generation fell from 27.0 per cent in the first quarter of 2012 to 26.3 per cent in the first quarter of 2013, its lowest share for at least 15 years, due to high gas prices. (Chart 5.2). Nuclear’s share of generation rose from 17.2 per cent in the first quarter of 2012 to 18.1 per cent in the first quarter of 2013 with increased availability after outages in the same quarter last year. (Chart 5.2). Low carbon electricity’s share of generation increased from 28.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2012 to 30.4 per cent in the second quarter of 2013, due to higher renewables and nuclear generation. (Chart 5.3). The UK remains a net importer with 3.2 per cent of electricity supplied from net imports in the first quarter of 2013 (Chart 5.4). Final consumption of electricity during the first quarter of 2013, at 88.2 TWh, was

Chart 5.1 Electricity generated by fuel type
120

In 2013 Q1, total electricity generated rose 0.7 per cent from 100.1 TWh in 2012 Q1 to 100.8 TWh. In 2013 Q1, coal fired generation fell by 1.2 per cent from 42.1 TWh to 41.6 TWh. In 2013 Q1, gas fired generation fell 2.0 per cent from 27.1 TWh to 26.5 TWh, its lowest first quarter level for at least fifteen years. This was due to high gas prices, with several gas stations now closed or mothballed and being run at low levels. In 2013 Q1, nuclear generation rose 6.3 per cent from 17.2 TWh to 18.3 TWh, due to increased availability after outages in the same quarter last year. In 2013 Q1, wind and PV generation rose 29.8 per cent from 5.3 TWh to 6.9 TWh, due to increased capacity. Hydro generation fell 32.1 per cent from 1.9 TWh to 1.3 TWh, due to 21 per cent lower rainfall compared to the same period last year. It was the driest March for at least 12 years and the driest month since June 2010.

100

Generation (TWh)

80

60

40

20

0 Q1 Q2 2010 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 2011 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 2012 Coal Q3 Q4 Q1 2013

Renewables

Oil and Other

Gas

Nuclear

37

June 2013

Electricity

Chart 5.2 Shares of electricity generation
Q1 2012 Renewables 11.3% Other 1.4%

The share of generation from coal decreased from 42.0 per cent in 2012 Q1 to 41.2 per cent in 2013 Q1. Gas’s share of generation decreased from 27.0 per cent in 2012 Q1 to 26.3 per cent in 2013 Q1, its lowest first quarter share for at least fifteen years. Nuclear’s share of generation rose from 17.2 per cent in 2012 Q1 to 18.1 per cent in 2013 Q1. The share of renewables (hydro, wind and other renewables) increased from 11.3 per cent in 2012 Q1 to 12.3 per cent in 2013 Q1. This was due to much increased wind generation capacity as well as the increase in generation from Tilbury B, offset by reduced generation from co-firing due to coal stations burning much less biomass with coal.

Coal 42.0% Gas 27.0%

Nuclear 17.2%

Oil 1.1%

Q1 2013 Renewables 12.3% Other 1.4%

Coal 41.2%

Gas 26.3%

Oil 0.6% Nuclear 18.1%

Chart 5.3 Low carbon electricity’s share of generation
40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Q1 2010 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 2011 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 2012 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 2013

Low carbon electricity’s share of generation increased from 28.4 per cent in 2012 Q1 to 30.4 per cent in 2013 Q1, due to higher renewables and nuclear generation.

June 2013

38

Electricity Chart 5.4 UK trade in electricity
5 4 3 2 1 0 -1 -2 -3 Q1 Q2 2010 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 2011 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 2012 Q3 Q4 Q1 2013 Imports Exports Net Imports

In 2013 Q1, compared