Power
It's shocking, but half of the energy in every barrel of oil is used to extract and distribute the other half. Copper has excellent electrical conductivity and helps make power generation as efficient as possible. It is estimated that a tonne of copper used in an electricity system can save 200 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.
Copper also supports renewable energy. It is essential in wind turbines, photovoltaic panels, wave and tidal generation and solar thermal systems.
Copper is used for everything from very high voltage cables to tiny battery-operated appliances. Copper magnet wire makes the windings of motors and transformers from huge generators in power stations and wind turbines to vacuum cleaners and power drills. Energy is precious. Copper helps to make sure we don't waste it.