In 2013, the UK’s total energy production fell by 6.5% from 2012 mainly due to falls in the production of oil, coal and natural gas. According to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), the UK’s net energy import dependency climbed to 47%, the highest level since 1975, and energy exports reached their lowest level since 1980. The free trade of energy is of course desirable but it is also clear the health of European economies is vulnerable to disruptions in energy supplies caused by geopolitical disturbances. Increasing the security of energy supplies is therefore important to the UK’s economic well-being.
