Energy consumption in 2023 fell to lowest in 50 years

Energy consumption in 2023 fell lower than at any point in the past 50 years, the latest government figures have revealed.

A report examining energy trends found that consumption last year was 1.6% lower than in 2022, likely due to the impact of higher energy bills and other cost of living pressures.

Domestic consumption fell by 6.5% to a record low level, while industrial consumption fell by 3.4% – also a new low.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s (DESNZ) report shows that total electricity demand was 310 TWh, down slightly on 2022 to levels last seen in the 1980s.

Domestic consumption decreased by 4.1% to 92.3 TWh, which was the lowest since 1989. Industrial electricity consumption was down 1.3% to 81 TWh – the lowest since the mid-1980s.

Consumption by other final users, including commercial use, fell to 81.1 TWh, which was 3.6% lower than in 2022.

Demand for gas meanwhile was at its smallest since 1992, down 10% compared with 2022, a reduction of 82 TWh.

“This was largely due to reduced demand for gas for electricity generation and by households although falls were seen across most sectors. Household demand remained at levels not seen since the 1970s, a trend also observed in 2022, reflecting high energy and other costs and sustained higher than average temperatures,” DESNZ explained.

It comes as energy production dropped 9% to 100.4 million tonnes of oil equivalent, the lowest level since records began in 1948. This figure is down 36% on 2010, and 66% on 1999, when UK production peaked.

Meanwhile 2023 was a good year for renewables, with the total generation share of renewable technologies achieving both an annual record (47.3%) and a quarterly record (51.5%).

It marks the first time that more than half of all generation came from renewable sources.

“Both records were partially due to a fall in overall electricity demand and reduced domestic generation due to higher imports of electricity,” DESNZ further explained.