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ENERGY USE BY DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONSUMER
The distribution of energy use across the four broad end use sectors 2 identified above is shown in Figure 2. The significance of domestic and transport energy users can be seen. Further comments on each sector are presented below.
Figure 2: Scottish energy demand by sector in 2002
Domestic
The domestic sector is the largest consumer of energy. Energy demand for domestic uses in Scotland is greater than the UK average, mainly because of the harsher climate. It also reflects the differences in the condition of Scotland's building stock. For example, evidence suggests that the fraction of Scottish homes without loft insulation is more than twice that in England. Balancing this is the fact that around 30% of dwellings in Scotland are flats (requiring less energy for heating) compared to only 20% in England.
Energy consumption in this sector in 2002 rose by around 15% relative to that in 1990. This is dominated by the increased use of gas for heating but also reflects the increased use of electricity for various household goods, entertainment systems, etc. The use of coal was almost half the 1990 figure.
Transport
This is a significant growing sector in the developed world and Scotland is no exception to this trend. Transport energy use has grown year-on-year over the past two decades, initially in road transport (both private car use and haulage) and more recently in air travel. The latter reflects the increased availability of cheap airfares and the rise in use of regional airports. These two modes dominate transport energy use in Scotland.
Overall energy use in this sector in 2002 has increased by around 10% relative to 1990. The principal fuel use is oil.
Industry
Energy consumption in Scottish industry has declined in recent years. As noted earlier, this reflects the general trend in the UK towards less energy-intensive, higher added value products and services. Nonetheless, Scotland continues to have a strong presence and high energy consumption in specific industrial sectors, particularly food and drink, chemicals, engineering and paper.
In 2002, energy consumption in the sector fell by around 30% relative to 1990.
Services
Energy consumption in a range of business activities ( e.g. offices, banks, retail outlets, warehousing), public sector services ( e.g. public buildings, hospitals, schools) and tourism dominates this sector.
Energy use here rose by around 10% relative to 1990, reflecting the growth in employment in the services sector. Gas and electricity consumption has grown while that for oil and coal has decreased. The increased gas consumption is associated with heating buildings. The increase in electricity use reflects the changing nature of the services sector over the past decade or so; for example, more use of refrigeration (shops and warehouses) and wider use of some office equipment ( PCs, printers and photocopiers).
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