We need to consider future energy needs in terms of affordability, security and the environment. Each form of energy, be it coal, gas, nuclear, renewable or decentralised generation, has well-documented attractions – but also drawbacks. Coal is cheaper than some other sources of energy but currently produces twice as much carbon as gas. Gas power stations are relatively quick to build but increasingly reliant on the volatile price of imported fuel. Nuclear is undoubtedly low-carbon but has high investment costs and takes a long time to build; and wind, the most developed form of renewable energy, is effectively carbon free but intermittent and inflexible, requiring extensive back-up capacity. Decentralised generation is highly efficient but it will be a long and costly haul before it can play a major role.
We’re committed to clean, low carbon energy generation. Our generation strategy recognises that energy diversity is the key to maintaining security of supply and keeping energy affordable for our customers. So we’re embracing renewables and decentralised generation, nuclear, gas and coal as the only way to achieve a future in which energy remains affordable, secure and acceptable in terms of carbon emissions. We need to use all available technologies – making sure that each source is used in a way that maximises its strengths and compensates for its weaknesses.
In 2008 we generated a total of 49.54 TWh of energy. Gas accounted for a much greater proportion of our total generation than in 2007. As a result, a smaller proportion of our total generation came from our coal-fired stations.
Reviewed
2009
Information
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