Energy

Emissions from Energy (principally electricity generation) increased by 5.9% (0.71 Mt CO2eq) in 2012. This reflects increases in coal and peat used in conventional fossil fuel fired power stations for electricity generation, by 27% and 16% respectively, and a corresponding decrease in natural gas use of 12% in 2012 (EPA, 2013). Taking the period 1990-2012 however, CO2 emissions from electricity generation have increased by 11.0% whereas electricity output has increased by 105%. This reflects the improvement in efficiency of modern gas fired power plants replacing older peat and oil fired plants and the increased share of renewables, primarily, wind power.