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Written question asked by David Mowat (Conservative) on Tuesday, 10 January 2012, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 12 January 2012. It was answered by Charles Hendry (Conservative) on Monday, 16 January 2012 on behalf of the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

Electricity: Imports

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what proportion of the electricity consumed in the UK was generated outside the UK in each of the last four quarters for which figures are available; and what proportion he expects to be generated outside the UK in (a) 2012 and (b) 2013.
Answer

The following table shows the proportion of electricity consumed in the UK that is generated outside (ie imports).

UK electricity imports (GWh) UK electricity demand (GWh) Imports share of UK electricity demand (percentage)
2010 Q4 1,479 103,931 1.4
2011 Q1 1,787 103,972 1.7
2011 Q2 2,054 85,883 2.4
2011 Q3 2,656 84,821 3.1
Source:
Energy Trends, December 2011, table ET 5.2, available at:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/Statistics/energy_stats/source/electricity/electricity.aspx

The following table shows the proportion of electricity consumed in the UK that is projected to be imported in 2012 and 2013 in DECC's latest published emissions projections published in October 2011, see:"http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/about/ec_social_res/analytic_projs/en_emis_projs/en_emis_projs.aspx"These projections are based on one possible scenario incorporating a number of assumptions and do not take account of Government plans for electricity market reform. Using different assumptions would lead to different results.

Projected UK electricity imports (GWh) Projected UK electricity demand (GWh) Projected imports share of UK electricity demand (percentage)
2012 7,500 369,600 2.0
2013 7,800 367,200 2.1

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
89626; 538 c616-7W
Session
2010-12
Subjects
Electricity Imports
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk