A black and white photo group of miners underground, walking forward led by a serious older man with a moustache wearing a helmet and holding a lamp. The face of the man behind is completely black with coal dust.Source: Ministry of Information, 1942, Imperial War Museum https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205199325

Work and jobs

Energy has created new working communities but jobs were often dangerous and can also be lost as the energy industry changes.

A statue of a miner leaning on a pickaxe with a crowd of people including older people in wheelchairs around it. Source / Copyright: https://www.facebook.com/Auchengeich-Miners-Memorial-916368968418660/photos

Communities

Communities have developed around mines, power stations and oil fields, and have been fundamentally changed by energy developments.

Logo with a purple circle, with the text 'It's Scotland's Oil' and black shape to represent oil flowing from the centre of the 'o' in oil to the bottom of the circle. Source: Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:It%27s_Scotland%27s_Oil_Badge.svg

Economics and ownership

How the ownership of energy and the economics of the industry in Britain have changed.

A yellow circle with a cartoon red sun in the middle with a smiley face. Around the ti op edeg is he text 'Nuclear Power?' and around the bottom 'No Thanks' all in black capital letters. Spouce: Anne Lund, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Smiling_Sun_English_Language.svg

Politics and protest

The impact of power generation on local communities and the commercial exploitation of resources have inspired political campaigns.

Wind turbine on a hill next to a lake (loch) with steep sides. Source: Ewan Gibbs, 2021

Environment and sustainability

Energy generation has had harmful impacts on the environment, from local pollution to climate change, but the transition to renewable energy is not easy.

A view of the buildings of Sellafield nuclear power station with steam plumes emitting from it, seen across a field and against a stormy sky

Technology and innovation

Britain has adopted new techonologies to generate enough energy for the nation's needs.