EnergyDiagram

UK Energy Mix

Part of Energy Resources · GCSE GCSE Physics revision

This diagram covers UK Energy Mix within Energy Resources for GCSE Physics. Revise Energy Resources in Energy for GCSE Physics with 15 exam-style questions and 12 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 4 of 13 in this topic. Focus on the labels, the relationships between parts, and the explanation that turns the diagram into an exam-ready answer.

Topic position

Section 4 of 13

Practice

15 questions

Recall

12 flashcards

🧭 UK Energy Mix

Donut chart of the UK electricity generation mix, with each source coloured by how carbon-free it is (green = carbon-free, amber = moderate, red = high CO₂). Natural gas 33% (orange, high carbon), Wind 26% (deep green, carbon-free), Nuclear 14% (green, carbon-free but non-renewable), Imports 10% (amber), Biomass 5% (yellow), Solar 5% (lime green), Hydro 3% (green), Coal 2% (deep red, highest carbon), Oil and other 2% (red). Centre shows low-carbon sources make up about 48% of supply.

Figure 1: UK electricity generation mix, coloured by carbon intensity (green = carbon-free, red = high CO₂). Gas is the largest source; wind the largest renewable. Note nuclear is low-carbon but not renewable.

Key statistics about the UK energy mix (approximate figures, subject to annual variation):

  • Natural gas: ~35% of electricity generation (flexible, fills gaps)
  • Wind (onshore + offshore): ~25% and growing rapidly
  • Nuclear: ~15% (reliable but ageing fleet)
  • Solar: ~5% (low in winter, high in summer)
  • Biomass: ~5%
  • Coal: less than 2% (near phase-out)
  • Hydro: ~2%

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Energy Resources. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Practice Questions for Energy Resources

Which of the following is a renewable energy resource?

  • A. Coal
  • B. Natural gas
  • C. Wind
  • D. Oil
1 markfoundation

Give two advantages and one disadvantage of using wind turbines to generate electricity.

3 marksstandard

Quick Recall Flashcards

What does SHWGTB stand for? (Renewable energy sources)
S — Solar H — Hydroelectric W — Wind G — Geothermal T — Tidal B — Biofuel (Wave is sometimes added as a second W)
What is a renewable energy resource?
A renewable energy resource is one that is naturally replenished and will not run out on a human timescale. Examples include wind, solar, tidal, hydroelectric, geothermal, wave, and biofuel.

15 questions on Energy Resources — practise free

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