Background
Electricity Generation by Source R: 2000-2007
Electricity generated (GigaWatt hours)
Gigawatt Hours
| 2000 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 |
Nuclear | 16,918 | 18,394 | 18,013 | 18,681 | 14,141 | 12,344 |
Coal | 16,624 | 14,566 | 13,081 | 12,160 | 17,529 | 13,853 |
Gas and Oil | 11,274 | 12,059 | 12,226 | 11,270 | 12,404 | 12,595 |
Renewables3 | 4,972 | 3,725 | 5,832 | 6,486 | 6,963 | 8,226 |
Hydroelectric (pumped storage)4 | 613 | 670 | 786 | 643 | 1,184 | 1,198 |
Total Generated | 50,400 | 49,415 | 49,938 | 49,240 | 52,221 | 48,216 |
Gross Consumption5 | 40,801 | 41,238 | 41,364 | 41,922 | 41,281 | 40,855 |
The combustion of fossil fuel, especially coal, is a major contributor to carbon dioxide emissions. Carbon dioxide is one of a basket of six greenhouse gases that the UK is committed to reduce under the 1997 Kyoto Protocol.
In 2007, Scotland generated 48,216 GWh of electricity, some 8% less than in 2006. In 2007 coal was the main source of electricity generation in Scotland accounting for 29% of the total electricity generated. However the amount of electricity generated by coal fell by 21% compared to 2006. The amount generated by gas and oil increased by 1.5% in this same period and in 2007 accounted for around 26% of electricity generated in Scotland.
Nuclear power does not emit greenhouse gases although its use raises other environmental issues, including the long-term disposal of spent fuel. Unplanned outages at nuclear stations in 2006 and 2007 saw reductions in outputs. The electricity generated by nuclear fell by 34% between 2005 and 2007 and is now at the lowest level in the period 2000 - 2007.
Scotland generated 8,226 GWh of electricity from renewable sources in 2007. This equated to 20.1% of the gross consumption 5 of electricity in Scotland, compared with 12.2% in 2000. A target has been set that 50% of Scottish gross electricity consumption should come from renewable sources by 2020, with an interim target of 31% by 2011.
Source: Department for Energy and Climate Change