Fossil fuels are fuels formed over millions of years by decomposition and compression of dead plant and animal matter. They are deemed non-renewable due to the timespan needed for each fuel type to be formed. Petroleum, coal, and natural gas are the most commonly used fossil fuels and also the main source of primary energy consumed. In the United Kingdom, the share of fossil fuels, particularly coal, used for energy production has fallen in recent years. However, their application is still deemed indispensable in many industries.
Indigenous production still accounts for greatest supply share
In 2020, the UK ranked fourteenth in a list of countries with
highest primary energy consumption, at some 6.89 exajoules. This was the lowest consumption volume the UK had seen for many decades and indicative of a wider trend in reduced fossil fuel usage and greater production efficiency. It was also the result of a continued strive by the government to decrease
coal consumption, which fell to below 0.3 exajoules. Among only a handful of European oil producing countries, the UK mainly relied on indigenous production for its
supply of petroleum. This was despite decreasing output in recent years. Norway is the
greatest exporter of both crude oil and natural gas to the UK, thanks in part to a robust pipeline network.
Consumer prices
Consumers have been confronted with
ever increasing prices for electricity, gas, and other fuels. In January 2019, a price cap was introduced by the government to ensure a ceiling on tariffs. However, that year still saw the consumer index grow to 111.7 relative to the base year 2015. In 2020, in part because of the coronavirus pandemic, the index fell to 106.5. Meanwhile, the average price of
fuel bought by major power producers increased towards the end of 2020, with coal continuously the cheapest option out of all fossil fuels.
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