The changing future energy demands of eleven major British cities, including Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield and Liverpool have been revealed in a new report published by Smart Energy GB, the voice of the smart meter rollout.
This is the first time that predictions about future increases in energy demand in the UK have been analysed and published on a city level.
Powering future cities, carried out by the Centre for Economics and Business Research, shows that this growing demand will primarily be driven by urban population growth, economic growth and a predicted surge in use of new technology, including electric vehicles. Many cities are already making smart changes to prepare for the future.
Domestic electricity use will see the biggest increase in demand, forecast to rise by 22 per cent in Newcastle in the next 20 years. Meanwhile, demand for domestic gas is expected to increase by 9 per cent. Domestic electricity and gas consumption is set to increase 29% and 15% in Leeds and Manchester, 27% and 14% in Manchester, and 20% and 8% in Liverpool.
Of the 11 major UK cities analysed in the report, Cardiff and London are expected to see the highest demand for domestic electricity and gas.
The need to use more renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, to meet this demand also brings challenges; as peaks and troughs in supply of electricity, caused by changes in the weather, need to be managed.
The report highlights some of the great strides our cities are already making to meet demand, using smarter technology.
Smart meters will be installed in every home in Great Britain by 2020. They will connect with and send data to energy suppliers and will help cities better manage energy demand.
Sacha Deshmukh, Chief Executive of Smart Energy GB said:
“This report looks at the challenges and opportunities ahead for our cities as energy demands change. It provides, for the first time, a detailed, city-level picture of future energy needs.
“Smart meters are an essential step to a smarter future. Many cities, such as Newcastle, have already started to use smart technology to create cleaner, greener environments. With smart meters installed across the country there are great opportunities for further innovation.”