Table 1 shows generation and supply of electricity in each of the UK countries. Because the mix of
generating plant is not the same in each country, the overall percentage for each fuel type in
individual years will change according to the fuels and stations that are available and the most
advantageous to use.
Between 2010 and 2011, England’s share of total generation remained at 76.5 per cent. Increases
in coal, nuclear and renewables generation was offset by a decrease in gas generation. Scotland’s
share, meanwhile, increased from 13.1 per cent to 13.9 per cent, due to increases in nuclear,
hydro and wind generation, outweighing a decrease in coal generation. For Wales, there was a
decrease in the share from 8.4 per cent to 7.4 per cent, mainly due to a decline in gas generation.
Northern Ireland’s share of generation rose from 2.0 per cent to 2.2 per cent, mainly due to
increased gas generation. On average, over the last four years, 75.9 per cent of UK electricity
generation has taken place in England, 13.4 per cent in Scotland, 8.6 per cent in Wales and 2.2
per cent in Northern Ireland.
Both Scotland and Wales are net exporters of electricity, with England importing electricity from
both countries and from continental Europe (via the France and Netherlands interconnectors).
Northern Ireland trades electricity with the Republic of Ireland to which it is a net exporter. It also
imports electricity from Scotland via the Moyle interconnector - these imports were greater than
exports to the Irish Republic in each of the last four years. In 2010, Scotland exported 20.6 per
cent of the electricity generated there to consumers elsewhere in the UK and this rose to 26.1 per
cent in 2011. Transfers from Scotland to England rose by 45 per cent between 2010 and 2011, to
a new record high, as Scottish generation increased and consumption fell. Wales exported the
equivalent of 24.5 per cent of its generation to consumers in England in 2010, falling to a record
low of 13.4 per cent in 2011.