Gas use in UK generation falls 8.6% year-on-year in Q1 ’05 – DTI
The use of gas in electricity generation in the UK fell by 8.6% year-on-year in Q1 ’05, according to new figures released on Thursday by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Coal use in electricity generation was 4.0% higher in Q1 ’05 than a year ago and nuclear usage was down 4.0%, while output from hydro sources was up 4.6%. Oil use was 28.6% higher, but from a low level in Q1 ’04, the DTI said. Overall fuel usage by generators was unchanged. Between Q1 ’04 and Q1 ’05 the price of coal for power stations increased by 25.5% whilst the price of gas rose by 31.1%. Over the same period the cost of oil for generation increased by 39.6%.
Total electricity supplied by all generators was down 1.0% (1 TWh). Indigenous supply was 1.1% lower, while net imports were up 8.8%. Final consumption of electricity fell 1.6%. Industrial use of electricity was 2.8% lower while domestic use was 0.4% down. Primary electricity consumption fell by 8.3% year-on-year. Total energy production in Q1 ’05 was 8.6% lower year-on-year, to 59.9 million tonnes of oil equivalent.
By the end of March 2005 10.8 million electricity consumers (43%) were no longer with their home supplier. The rate of customer transfer decreased to an average 301,000 per month in Q1 ’05, from 388,000 per month in the previous quarter. According to British energy regulator Ofgem, unusually low transfer figures in February were followed by unusually higher transfer rates in March.
The DTI said that, on average, in Q1 ’05, the Climate Change Levy (CCL) had increased the average prices of fuels to industry by 4.6% for electricity and 4.2% for gas.
Average industrial electricity prices were 21.6% higher including the CCL and 25.4% higher excluding the CCL in real terms, compared to Q1 ‘04. Domestic electricity prices, including VAT, were 9.6% higher in real terms in Q1 ’05 compared to a year ago. Domestic gas prices, including VAT, were 13.1% higher in real terms in Q1 ’05 compared to a year ago.
The DTI’s report also included a summary of 2004 renewables statistics for the first time. Electricity generation from renewables accounted for 3.6% of UK output in 2004, at 14,171 GWh, up from 2.7% (10,638 GWh) in 2003. Generation from wind grew by 52%; generation from landfill gas grew by 22%, and output from the co-firing of biomass with fossil fuels by 70%. Total UK renewable capacity as of 31st December 2004 was 3,050 MW.
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