Key Description

Demand This is the total UK demand for electricity. This now includes solar power but does not include unmetered sources such as Small Generation wind power

Renewables This is the percent of the energy produced from renewable (wind + solar + hydroelectric + biomass)

Coal These stations burn coal to produce heat.This is used to heat water to produce steam which turns a steam turbine which drives a generator to produce electricity. There are currently 9 Coal power stations in the UK. The current Governments plan is to shutdown all coal stations by 2025.

Nuclear These stations use a Uranium nuclear reaction to produce heat. This is used to heat water to produce steam which turns a steam turbine which drives a generator to produce electricity. The output from these is more constant than other power generation. Fluctations usually indicate maintenance, refuelling or problems. There are currently 8 Nuclear power stations in the UK.

Solar There is no central recording of Solar Generation. This figure is an estimated figure which comes from Sheffield University. This value is now included in the Demand figure

Wind This is the power from Wind Farms and does not include unmetered wind turbines. The output from this fluctuates with the wind. There are currently over 6500 wind turbines in wind farms

CCGT Combined Cycle Gas Turbine - These use Natural Gas to power a Turbine which turns a Generator. A second system uses the heat to produce steam which is used to turn a turbine which powers a generator. There are 39 CCGT power stations in the UK.

Hydro Hydroelectric - There are approximately 200 Hydroelectric stations in the UK. Most are situated in the Scottish and Welsh Mountain areas.

Oil These stations burn oil to produce heat. This is used to heat water to produce steam which turns a steam turbine which drives a generator to produce electricity. Virtually all Oil stations have been decommissioned with just a small reserve remaining.

Biomass Includes the burning of Wood, Food Residues and straw. This was included in 'other' before the 1/11/2017

Pumped Hydro Pumped Storage Hydroelectric - Pumped storage incorporates two reservoirs. At times of low demand, generally at night, electricity is used to pump water from the lower to the upper basin. This water is then released to create power at a time when demand, and therefore price, is high. There are currently 4 pumped storage stations in the UK.

OCGT Open Cycle Gas Turbine - These use Natural Gas to power a Turbine which powers a Generator. These are expensive to run so are only used when necessary. There is currently 1 of these in the UK.