This line graph illustrates information regarding energy intake in the United Kingdom between 1978 and 2011, with predictions until 2038.
Overall, consumption of traditional petrol and oil increased sharply, maintaining its dominance throughout, whereas coal saw substantial growth, becoming the second highest. In addition, natural gas rose steadily, despite some minor fluctuations. By contrast, the consumption of modern energy, such as nuclear, solar and wind, and hydropower, remained relatively stable.
In 1978, petrol and oil was the most popular option for energy consumption, accounting for 35 quadrillion units. This figure dipped slightly to 32 in 1983, before recovering to more than its initial amount, reaching 41 quadrillion units by 2003. It then surged and is projected to peak at 50 quadrillion by 2038. Similarly, coal remained relatively stable between 1978 and 2003, hovering between 15 and 23 quadrillion units. It is expected to increase sharply to 30 quadrillion by 2038.
Natural gas followed a different pattern, starting at 20 quadrillion in 1978 before some minor fluctuations over the next 35 years, reaching 23 quadrillion in 2013 before a small increase to 25 by 2018. It is projected to remain the same in the prediction phase. In contrast, the three other energy types followed a similar pattern with relatively lower figures. They maintained a stable trend, with nuclear and solar and wind starting at 3 quadrillion and are expected to finish at 7 and 6 quadrillion respectively. However, hydropower is predicted to finish the lowest at 2 quadrillion, despite starting at the same point.