According to the British Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), primary energy production in the United Kingdom rose by 9% in 2015, the first increase since 1999, due to higher oil and gas production (start-up of new fields and less maintenance activity): gas production rose by 8.5% (start-up of the Breagh and Jasmine fields), while crude oil production soared by 12.8%. Primary electricity production rose by 13.8%, boosted by higher nuclear generation (nuclear accounted for 23% of the power mix, from 20.5% in 2014); low-carbon generation accounted for 43% of the power supply in 2015, up from 36% in 2014. The share of gas remained globally stable at around 31%, while that of coal fell from 34% to 26% (reduced capacity due to a third unit at Drax being converted to biomass and increase in the carbon price floor). Coal production fell by 27% to a record low, owing to mine closures and other mines coming to end of operation and producing less.
Primary energy consumption increased by 0.2% in 2015, but declined by 1.1% on a temperature adjusted basis. Consumption of all fuels increased, except coal (lower demand from the power sector and from steelworks).
Gas imports exceeded gas production in 2015, rising by 4.3% over the year (+21% for LNG, with Qatar accounting for 92% of LNG imports); Norway remained the main gas supplier (61%). Gas exports rose by 34%, mainly to Europe through the Belgian Interconnector. The UK remained a net importer of petroleum products at 9.1 Mt, up from 6.3 Mt in 2014, driven by higher import volumes