Question
Question 4 (5 marks)
Describe how the UK's energy mix has changed since 2000 and explain the challenges of relying more on renewables.
Mark scheme (AO1 + AO2, 5 marks):
- UK 2000: ~75% fossil fuels (coal, gas, oil); 2024: ~42% renewables (wind the largest single source) — major shift (1–2 marks)
- Coal phased out; UK is now world leader in offshore wind (e.g., Hornsea, East Yorkshire — world's largest offshore wind farm) (1 mark)
- Challenge — intermittency: wind/solar don't produce when calm/dark → need energy storage (batteries, pumped hydro) or backup capacity (1 mark)
- Challenge — supply security: still dependent on gas imports; vulnerable to global price shocks (2021–22 energy crisis showed this clearly) (1 mark)
5 marks · take your time before peeking.
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Generated by TopMyGrade AI · cross-check official sources before relying on the mark-scheme phrasing.