Thread by @DrSimEvans

THREAD on how the UK energy mix is being transformed:

Amazingly, UK primary energy use is now at its lowest for more than half a century.

And fossil fuels supplied less than four-fifths of the total for the first time.

@Josh_Gabbatiss

carbonbrief.org/analysis-uk-pr…

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FOUR-FIFTHS IS STILL FOSSIL FUELS!

…I hear some of you saying.

True. But that's primary energy, including all the heat that gets wasted when we burn coal, oil and gas.

Check out the huge flow of waste energy (centre-bottom) in this animation:

carbonbrief.org/analysis-uk-pr…

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Much of that wasted heat is still disappearing out of combustion-engine cars, vans & planes.

Transport is now the largest sector for UK energy use by far – plus demand has been rising, unlike elsewhere in the economy.

It's also largest for CO2…

carbonbrief.org/analysis-uk-pr…

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The fastest transformation has been in the power sector ("only" is too strong, but it's def the main one).

Renewables now generate 1/3 of the mix & low-carbon sources 53% overall.

But don't forget gas is still 40% – despite falling 12% in a decade.

carbonbrief.org/analysis-uk-pr…

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With slowing growth elsewhere, offshore wind is set to become the single-largest source of renewable electricity in the UK – possibly as early as this yr.

Offshore wind now already generates more than coal – it's set to reach 1/3 of the mix by 2030.

carbonbrief.org/analysis-uk-pr…

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Meanwhile, the UK increased the amount of fossil fuels it extracted last year, to the highest level in 6yrs…

Oil output was up 9% on tax breaks, higher prices & lower costs. Gas and coal output fell.

carbonbrief.org/analysis-uk-pr…

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