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Indicator 12. Energy: consumed

Gas consumed by domestic customers and electricity consumed (TeraWatt hours)

Source: Department of Trade and Industry. Figures for 2002 and 2003 are taken from the publication 'Energy Trends' December 2004. (Electricity consumption estimates provided are based on total electricity generation less generators' own use, transfers and losses.) The figures previously published have been revised.

The relevance of the indicator

Delivering a more sustainable economy and addressing the challenges of climate change requires doing more with less. We are doing a great deal to encourage greater energy efficiency across all sectors. An energy use figure is currently not yet available at Scotland level so we are using electricity consumed as a proxy measure.

Choice of indicator

In November 2004 the Executive commissioned an independent study to map energy supply and demand in Scotland. This is expected to help us make progress on new indicators.

The Department of Trade and Industry ( DTI) are also presently investigating the feasibility of producing sub- UK energy consumption estimates by fuel and end user ¹.

Detailed definition and source details

The figure shown for electricity consumption is computed as total energy generated in Scotland adjusted for exports and imports, own use in power stations by generators, autogenerators (An autogenerator is a company whose main business is not the generation of electricity, the electricity they generate being produced mainly for the company's own use) and transmission and distribution losses. An alternative measure of electricity consumption uses the average of two estimates of electricity put into public supply, as provided by DTI, to which is added an estimate of electricity consumed by autogenerators. There is a statistical difference between the two methods of estimating energy consumption. Further work is continuing in DTI to examine the statistical difference between these two estimates and to look further at the component series to see where the differences might be arising and thus where improvements to the data might be made.

DTI have recently begun providing estimates of gas consumption at a regional level with 2001 being the first year for which this data is available. The figure for gas consumed by domestic customers includes all customers with gas consumption of 73,200 kWh or lower where the gas passed through the Transco distribution system. This may include some small industrial and commercial consumers. This represents about two fifths of gas consumption in Scotland. Part of the remaining total will have been used to generate electricity.

For both series, figures for 2002 and 2003 are taken from the publication Energy Trends December 2004 ².

Trends

With the limited time series available and an issue of data quality regarding the estimate of electricity consumed, it is not possible at this stage to comment on trends in energy consumption. However the energy study is expected to provide information on trends in due course.

Further disaggregation

The Executive's energy study will map and quantify the flow and usage of all forms of energy in Scotland, using 2002 as the base year. The study is due to publish its findings by the end of 2005. This will help inform policy development across the Executive and support the future development of energy indicators at the Scottish level.

Target

The Scottish Executive is currently developing an energy efficiency strategy for Scotland. The aim is to set up a framework, define objectives and create a more joined-up approach for energy efficiency interventions by the Executive - due to be published by end of 2005. Targets for energy efficiency are being considered as part of its development.

The energy efficiency strategy will cover all initiatives and strategies funded by the Executive which have a significant impact on energy efficiency - including measures in relation to business, the public sector, transport, and the domestic sector.

Action

The Executive funds the Energy Saving Trust's ³ ( EST) programme of work to improve energy efficiency in the domestic sector in Scotland. In 2005-2006 the Executive provided over £7m in funding for ESTs work in improving energy efficiency in domestic properties.

The Executive also funds the Carbon Trust's activities in Scotland. The Carbon Trust ⁴ runs programmes aimed at encouraging reductions in energy consumption in the business and public sector, and fostering research into low carbon technology.

Examples of work to improve energy efficiency include:

• The work of Scotland's eight Energy Efficiency Advice Centres. In 2004-2005 the centres provided advice to 117,000 customers. As a result of the advice given to Scottish clients in 2004-2005 lifetime carbon savings were identified of 111,000 tonnes.

• The Carbon Trust's Innovation Programme which is aimed at assisting the commercialisation of innovative low carbon technologies. This will contribute to a reduction in the carbon intensity of the economy and assist UK businesses to capitalise on global demand for such products.

• The Energy Efficiency Programme provided by the Carbon Trust provides practical assistance and advice to business and public sector organisations to help them to reduce energy consumption. In 2004-2005 the programmes identified savings of £22 million and 270,000 tonnes of carbon for Scottish businesses.

• The Executive's Public Sector Energy Efficiency Initiative is currently providing a total of £20 million in funding to local authorities, health boards, and Scottish Water to improve energy efficiency in the public sector.

Footnotes

1 More information is available on the Department of Trade and Industry website at: www.dti.gov.uk/energy/inform/regional_energy/index.shtml

2 Available on the DTI website at: www.dti.gov.uk/energy/inform/energy_trends/index.shtml

3 More information on the EST is available on their website at: www.est.org.uk

4 More information on the Carbon Trust is available on their website at: www.thecarbontrust.co.uk

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