Energy imports in the UK - statistics & facts

Although historically relatively self-sufficient in covering domestic energy demand, the United Kingdom’s dependency on imports has increased in the past few decades. With oil and gas fields on the continental shelf depleting and the government phasing out coal, the country has grown increasingly reliant on supplies from other countries. Energy dependency reached its peak in 2013, at nearly 48 percent. Thanks in large part to growing capacity additions of wind power and a decline in primary energy consumption, the dependency rate had fallen to some 35 percent since. This is notably lower than the European Union average.

Interconnectors and the rise of electricity imports

Between 1990 and 2019, net imports of electricity nearly doubled, amounting to 1.8 million metric tons of oil equivalent in the latter year. This was up from 1.3 million metric tons in 2017 and likely the result of a new interconnector to the continent. The Nemo Link to Belgium went live in February 2019 and allows for imports of cheaper electricity as power stations in Britain are charged with higher carbon prices. As more interconnectors are to be set up, electricity imports may continue to increase in the coming years and could reach six million metric tons of oil equivalent by 2035.

Primary fuel supply

Norway is the greatest supplier of primary fuels to the UK. In 2018, the UK bought some 17.5 million metric tons of crude oil and 1.7 million metric tons of natural gas from its northern neighbor. Most natural gas was imported via pipelines, however liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports notably increased in 2019. Qatar is the main exporter of LNG to the UK.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by Jessica Aizarani, Jan 31, 2023

Key insights

Total electricity imports into the UK
28743 GWh
Net amount of electricity imported into the UK
19.11 TWh
Projected demand for electricity net imports into the UK 2040
5 Mtoe
Get more insights

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Import volume of crude oil and natural gas liquids to the United Kingdom (UK) in 2021, by country of origin (in 1,000 metric tons)

Fossil Fuels

Oil liquids imports in the UK 2021, by country

Import volume of petroleum products to the United Kingdom (UK) in 2021, by country of origin (in 1,000 metric tons)

Fossil Fuel Energy

Petroleum product imports in the UK 2021, by country

Import volume of liquefied natural gas to the United Kingdom (UK) in 2021, by country of origin (in gigawatt hours)

Natural Gas

LNG supply countries to the United Kingdom (UK) 2021

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Overview

6

Overview

Import of electricity

3

Import of electricity

Import of natural gas

8

Import of natural gas

Import of other fuels

4

Import of other fuels

Outlook

3

Outlook

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Renewable energy in the UK
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Energy awareness in the UK
The United Kingdom Continental Shelf
The United Kingdom Continental Shelf
Energy prices in the UK
Energy prices in the UK

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