Industry Consumption of Energy & Output
Energy intensity falls
Non-domestic energy consumption and output (Gross Domestic Product, chained volume measure), UK
The amount of energy consumed per unit of output (energy intensity) by UK companies and the public sector (excluding households) decreased by 32.9 per cent between 1990 and 2007. While output (Gross Domestic Product) rose by 53.5 per cent in real terms during this period, energy consumption, including electricity, increased by only 3.0 per cent.
Use of energy from fossil fuels by UK companies and the public sector has increased from 147.5 million tonnes of oil equivalent (mtoes) in 1990 to 156.4 mtoes in 2007. This is a rise of 6.0 per cent.
As a percentage of total energy consumption of primary fuels and equivalents, total non-domestic energy from fossil fuels has marginally increased from 67.3 per cent in 1990 to 68.2 per cent in 2007.
In 2007, the amount of energy used by the whole economy deriving directly from fossil fuels was 1.6 per cent lower at 214.0 mtoes compared with the 217.4 recorded the previous year. Total energy use in 2007 amounted to 229.4 mtoes of which 15.4 mtoes (6.7 per cent) came from non-carbon sources such as nuclear power, hydroelectricity and imports of electricity. This was down from 8.5 per cent in 2006 as generation from nuclear sources fell due to a high level of shutdowns for repairs and maintenance, and the closure of two Magnox stations.
Energy consumption is highest in the energy, gas and water industries, which in 2007 accounted for 28.7 per cent of all energy used from fossil fuels. The manufacturing and transport and communication industries accounted for a further 15.9 per cent and 14.7 per cent respectively of energy from fossil fuels.
In 2007, the household sector accounted for 36.4 per cent of energy use (once electricity transformation and distribution losses are allocated to the final consumer).
Source: Office for National Statistics; AEA Energy and Environment
The unit of measurement used in this analysis is tonne of oil equivalent (toe), which enables different fuels to be compared and aggregated. It should be regarded as a measure of energy content rather than a physical quantity. Standard conversion factors for each type of fuel are given in the Digest of UK Energy Statistics (DUKES).
Environmental accounts provide data on the environmental impact of UK economic activity, on the use of resources from the environment in the economy, and on associated taxes and subsidies.
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