Figures released by the Department of Trade and Industry reveal that energy production in 2000 was 2.5% lower than in 1999.
Primary electricity generation was reported to have fallen by 10.5%. Nuclear energy generation fell by 10.5% due to the closure of one nuclear station last year, and a number of outages at other stations.

While coal production was down by 13% and oil production down by 8%, natural gas production rose by 9.5%, with four new fields starting production during the year.

Conversely, primary energy consumption in 2000 rose by 1% compared to the previous year. The consumption of coal and other solid fuels rose by 6%, with coal consumption at power stations up by 14%.

This was caused by coal stations having to make up the shortfall in output from nuclear and gas-fired power stations that were undergoing repair and maintenance.