9 Overview
In 2002, Scotland consumed approximately 175 TWh60 (628 PJ) of delivered energy, emitting 45 Mt of CO 2 (or 12 Mt 61 C).
9.1 Demand
The main end-use sectors were, in decreasing order of energy consumption: domestic, transport, industry and services, and energy use is rising in all sectors except industry. The two largest sectors also comprise millions of energy consumers, rather than very large, but more limited number of organisations.
Domestic energy use is growing, as average household sizes have decreased, and use of electrical appliances has grown. Although building regulations lead to more efficient buildings, the gradual replacement of old buildings means they are slow to show results.
Transport energy use grows year-on-year, particularly due to rising levels of road transport (the largest sub-sector) and air transport, as cheap airfares and increasing use of regional airports encourage demand. Industrial energy consumption has seen a significant decline in recent years, with moves from manufacturing to service provision. However, Scotland continues to have a strong industrial presence in specific sectors, such as food and drink, chemicals, engineering and paper.
The service sector is also a significant energy consumer, especially in business activities, the public sector, tourism and related activities, and servicing the food & drink sector. Although the smallest end-use sector in Scotland, average consumption is greater than the UK average.
9.2 Fuel Supply
Natural gas, oil (especially for transport) and electricity are the predominant forms of energy delivered to end-users. However, coal and nuclear fuel also make significant contributions via electricity generation. In addition to the electricity generated for its own use, Scotland generated a further 8.0 TWh of electricity which was exported to England and Northern Ireland.
Gas is used directly for heating in the domestic, industry and service sectors, and is also used to generate electricity at Peterhead and Longannet power stations. Gas consumption has grown in recent years, because of its availability, low cost, versatility and low levels of emissions. This growth has occurred despite the fact that gas is not available in sizeable areas of Scotland, particularly in the north and north-west.
The majority of oil product use in Scotland is for transport, especially road transport, although oil is also used for process heating in industry, and space/water heating in the industry, domestic and service sectors.
The majority of coal consumption in Scotland is for electricity generation at Scotland's two coal-powered electricity generators. Scotland mines and exports much of its coal to England, Northern Ireland and elsewhere. Overall, net exports outweigh imports by about 10 TWh.
Nuclear fuel - is used solely to generate electricity at three power stations, which in 2002 comprised over 27% of Scotland's generating capacity.
Renewables - the main sources of renewable energy are from hydroelectric generators built in the mid-20 th century, together with increasing contributions from wind, newer small-scale hydro schemes and thermal sources. There is also direct consumption of renewable energy sources, although given the dispersed nature of the fuel ( e.g. wood from fallen trees, waste pallets, etc), it is difficult to determine an accurate figure.
Electricity - in 2002, the majority of power was generated from nuclear fission, coal and, to a lesser extent, gas combustion. Scotland had six major power plants ( MPPs): three nuclear, two coal and one gas. In addition, Scotland has several large (and numerous small) natural hydro schemes, a pumped-hydro storage facility, many small-scale generators/ CHP schemes, and wind and thermal renewable facilities.
9.3 Scottish Energy Consumption compared to the Rest of the UK
Overall, Scotland has slightly greater energy consumption per head than the UK average: consuming 9.1% of UK energy with 8.5% of the UK population. Scotland consumes more energy in each sector, apart from transport. This arises in part from a slightly higher use of energy for heating and greater than average oil refining, which more than offset slightly below average consumption by transport. The fuel split is not dissimilar to the UK average, with a slightly lower demand for solid fuels, but higher consumption of gas and electricity.
9.4 CO 2 Emissions
Whilst calculating CO 2 emissions from combustion is straightforward, it is possible to take different approaches to estimating the CO 2 associated with electricity generation, depending on whether a UK-wide or Scottish view of the fuels used for generation is taken. In general, the UK generating 'basket' figure of 0.432 kg CO 2/kWh has been used, to reflect the integrated nature of power generation within the UK.
The main contributions to CO 2 emissions from energy use arise from oil, predominantly for transport. Close behind is electricity: although it accounts for only 21% of delivered energy it contributes 30% to energy CO 2 emissions, due to the losses in the process, even though almost 40% of Scottish electricity was generated from nuclear fission, which does not directly produce CO 2.
Scottish soils also emitted some 5.0 Mt of CO 2 in 2002, much comes from disturbances to the peaty soil found in large areas of Scotland.
The overall contribution from land use is a net sink, if the CO 2 absorbed by forest growth is credited, but unless the carbon is permanently sequestered, it will eventually work its way back into the carbon cycle, through burning or decomposition.