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Country report
Jun 2019
Energy Policies of IEA Countries: United Kingdom 2019 Review
…in offshore wind and solar PV, is transforming the UK power sector. By 2030, wind and solar are expected to reach above 50%, more than in any other country. Solutions for flexible electricity markets and technologies need to be scaled up. Coal and nuclear power capacity is going to retire and new nuclear faces a weak outlook, the contribution of natural gas to meet peak demand is likely to increase. The United Kingdom has been able to stabilise production from the North Sea. Given its long term decline, however, oil and gas imports are critical. Maintaining open energy trade with…
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Country report
May 2012
Energy Policies of IEA Countries: The United Kingdom 2012 Review
…For this to happen, significant private-sector investment in new energy infrastructure is needed. As it seeks concrete solutions to the low-carbon investment challenge, the United Kingdom is leading by example. The United Kingdom’s proposed Electricity Market Reform is a pioneering effort that will be closely observed by other countries. Ideally, this complex and ambitious reform would in the long run lead to a more liberalised marketplace in which low-carbon power generation technologies compete to deliver innovative and least-cost outcomes. Security of supply remains a key focus of energy policy. Fossil fuel production in the United…
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Country report
Aug 2024
United Kingdom 2024
…the Government of the United Kingdom and the IEA. It draws on the IEA's extensive knowledge and the inputs of expert peers from IEA member countries to assess the United Kingdom’s most pressing energy sector challenges and provide recommendations on how to address them, backed by international best practices. The report also highlights areas where the United Kingdom’s leadership can serve as an example in promoting secure clean energy transitions. It also promotes the exchange of best practices among countries to foster learning, build consensus and strengthen political will for a sustainable and affordable clean energy future.
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Country report
Feb 2007
Energy Policies of IEA Countries: The United Kingdom 2006 Review
…addresses these challenges, focusing on energy investment, energy efficiency and the return of nuclear power to the political agenda. Almost all coal-fired and nuclear power capacity in the United Kingdom will be retired within the next 15 years. The review encourages the government to maintain its trust in the market mechanism for the delivery of required investment and security of supply. Nevertheless, it also identifies the need for the government to play a more active role in setting the framework. On the demand side, the IEA considers the government's “Energy Efficiency Commitment” (EEC) an impressive success. The EEC…
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Country report
Dec 2002
Energy Policies of IEA Countries: United Kingdom 2002
…a result. Increased oil and gas production on the UK continental shelf has contributed significantly to these developments. Central to the success of the energy sector however, was a readiness to adjust policies and regulatory measures when shortcomings became apparent. The last major adjustment was the introduction of the New Electricity Trading Rules in March 2001. These rules provided the decisive step towards a fully competitive power market.
Thanks to energy market reform and the resulting "dash for gas" in power generation, the UK is likely to meet its 12.5% greenhouse gas reduction target under the Kyoto Protocol. But… -
Country report
Jan 2011
Oil and Gas Emergency Policy: The United Kingdom 2010 update
Oil and Gas Emergency Policy: The United Kingdom 2010 update In 2007, the IEA published Oil Supply Security: Emergency Response of IEA Countries. This report provides an overview of the IEA oil emergency response system and a detailed look at the specific systems in each IEA country for responding to an oil supply crisis. The report represented the findings of a five-year review cycle of the emergency response mechanisms in IEA member countries. Since the 2007 publication, the IEA has started a new cycle of reviews which now includes reviewing gas emergency policies. Rather than waiting for the completion…
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Article
13 Dec 2021
Fuel economy in the United Kingdom
Market profile and analysis of fuel consumption trends Almost 2.7 million light-duty vehicles (LDVs) were sold in the United Kingdom in 2019, down 8% from 2017 levels. Average fuel consumption of new LDVs improved from 7.4 litres of gasoline equivalent per 100 kilometres (Lge/100 km) in 2005 to 5.7 Lge/100 km in 2016, but has since risen to 6.3 Lge/100 km in 2019, which is 12% below the global average. This recent hike is largely driven by a growing market for SUVs/pick-up trucks and a reversal in fuel economy improvements across LDV segements. The sales share…
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Article
27 May 2020
Changes in transport behaviour during the Covid-19 crisis
Covid-19 is changing our behaviour and transport energy use patterns The restrictions put in place to limit the diffusion and impacts of Covid-19 have had a widespread impact on people’s lives, and the way energy is used across entire economies.One of the biggest impacts has been the reduction in passenger transport demand, due to a combination of government lockdowns and fears of contracting and spreading the virus when using mass transport modes. While freight transport has also been reduced, the drivers of freight activity during the current crisis are complex, driven by both supply- and demand…
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Article
03 Mar 2022
United Kingdom's legislation on oil security
Introduction The United Kingdom (UK)’s response to oil supply shortages in emergency situations is primarily governed by the European Union (EU)’s Oil Stocking Directive (Directive 2009/119/EC) as implemented by the 1976 Energy Act (EA) and legally binding directions given to undertakings under the EA. The 2012 Oil Stocking Order (OSO) enacted by the UK Secretary of State pursuant to sections 6(6)(a), 17(2) and (3) EA and section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972, contains more detailed, mostly procedural, provisions concerning UK stockholding obligations and emergency measures. Relevant domestic legislation Related domestic…