Key Idea: Most marks in topic 7.2 come from why countries choose their energy mix and how sustainable each source is. Then learn rising demand and how to save energy.
1. Energy choices (most marks)
- Choices depend on resources, cost, technology, politics, climate and public views.
- Norway gets about 89% of its electricity from hydropower; Poland about 54% from its own coal.
- France went nuclear after the 1973 oil crisis (68% in 2024); Germany closed its last reactors in 2023.
2. How sustainable each source is
- Fossil fuels are finite and emit carbon dioxide; oil spills, such as Deepwater Horizon (2010).
- Nuclear is low-carbon but leaves waste, with rare severe accidents: Fukushima (2011).
- Renewables are low-carbon but some are intermittent; dams flood land: Three Gorges moved 1.3 million people.
3. Rising demand and saving energy
- World energy use in 2024 was about 4 times that of 1965 and set a new record.
- Demand grows with population and with use per person; about 81% still comes from fossil fuels.
- Conservation and efficiency cut demand: Japan's Cool Biz set office air conditioning to 28 °C.
How it is examined:
| Question | How to score |
|---|---|
| [1] to [2] Describe an energy trend from data | Direction, years and values, with units. |
| [2] Calculate a percentage change | (new - old) / old x 100, with working and units. |
| [4] Explain why a country chose its energy mix | Name the country, link each factor to the choice. |
| [4] to [7] Evaluate an energy source | Strengths and limits for environment, people and cost, then a judgement. |
| [9] Discuss how a country could meet rising demand sustainably | Several sources and efficiency, named examples, a judgement. |
Key terms, one line each:
| Term | In one line |
|---|---|
| Renewable energy | energy from sources that are naturally replaced, such as wind and sunlight |
| Non-renewable energy | energy from finite stocks, such as coal, oil, gas and uranium |
| Energy mix | the share of each source in a country's energy or electricity |
| Intermittent | not available all the time, such as solar at night |
| Energy efficiency | getting the same result while using less energy |
Last-minute check: answer, then tap to see.
Why does Norway use so much hydropower? Steep, rainy mountains make it cheap and easy.
Why did France build nuclear power? Few fossil fuels of its own and the 1973 oil crisis.
Name one problem with wind and solar. They are intermittent, so storage or backup is needed.
Two reasons world energy use is rising? More people and more energy per person.
In 2024 France made about 68% of its electricity from nuclear power, while Norway made about 89% from hydropower. Explain why two countries can choose very different energy sources.
Model answer plan
See the mark-by-mark plan — for / against / judgement, with marking guidance — in study mode.
Exam tips
- For an energy choice, name the country and link each factor to its choice.
- Use dated figures: France 68% nuclear, Norway 89% hydropower.
- For a percentage change, show the working and give the unit.
- In an evaluate, give strengths, limits and a judgement.