UK energy: political and economic solutions on the way to normalization the ecological conditions

Aim. To analyze historical background and main events, which determines the way of functioning and evolution of the energy system of Great Britain.

Methodology. The paper covers the problems of energy transition of Great Britain from conventional to renewable energy sources, the main methodology can be defined as standard statistical approach and method of historical research. Mainly, the aim is to undertake step by step analysis of official historical and statistical data. Such official data can be downloaded from government resources, for example, historical data sets for certain period (gov.uk), from resources, providing statistics for pollutants (EPER – The European Pollutant Emission Register), or resources, providing statistics for levels of atmospheric pollution and human wellness (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs).

Procedure and Methods. The time period of the historical development of thermal power industry in the UK – from the mid-19th century to the present was analyzed in details. The main events through industrial evolution, such as new technologies and types of fuel, which determines the way of functioning and evolution of the energy system of Great Britain, were highlighted. As shown in the article, the discovery of the hydrocarbon basins of the North Sea in 60s did not affect the change in fuel consumption in the field of thermal energy. Only the privatization of this sphere forced the owners to switch to cheaper natural gas and easier-to-operate gas power plants, and forces the rise of renewable energy. The main and most important events in the field of environmental legislation of the country, which went parallel with industrial development, and was targeted against climate change, are highlighted. It is shown that the UK can rightfully be a pioneer in the widespread use of the most environmentally friendly sources of electricity. It is shown that the current structure of fuel consumption, as well as the structure of electricity generation by fuel types, differs significantly even from the state of twenty years ago. The article also gives a number of reasons for the crisis situation of 2021. The events of this year have shown that it is not yet possible to completely abandon traditional power plants, even in such a developed and prepared country as the United Kingdom.

Research implications. Not only the development of the energy sector is considered, but also the interrelation of its evolution with the directed work of law-making structures and organizations is traced, the principles of making important decisions for the sector are defined. Also, analysis of these important solutions and energy and fuel consumptions statistics shows, are these solutions reasonable, and if they can be useful and suitable in connection to similar evolution of energy system in Russia.

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