UK payrolled employees: energy production and supply
UK payrolled employees: energy production and supply stood at 124,035 people in Aug 2026, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS). It is one of the indicators in the Pay and employment from PAYE table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Jul 2014 to Aug 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Pay and employment from PAYE table
| Indicator | 08-2026 | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | 11-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Payrolled employees by industry | |||||||||||
| D — Energy production and supply | 124,035 | 124,059 | 123,822 | 123,665 | 123,221 | 122,761 | 122,671 | 122,294 | 121,814 | 121,504 | |
| E — Water supply, sewerage and waste | 215,527 | 215,842 | 215,346 | 214,614 | 213,590 | 213,639 | 213,075 | 212,324 | 211,854 | 211,426 |
Understanding UK payrolled employees: energy production and supply
This measure totals the payrolled workforce across the United Kingdom engaged in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning. The headcount includes power station operators, grid maintenance engineers, and corporate staff within utility enterprises, while excluding independent power producers operating on a self-employed basis. Relative to manufacturing or construction rows, this series monitors a highly regulated infrastructure sector characterised by high capital intensity and steady workforce requirements.
Reading this dataset requires an understanding that weather-driven demand fluctuations affect operational output without necessarily altering core staffing levels. Revisions to provisional monthly figures are generally minor due to the stable, corporate nature of utility employers. Annual comparisons are preferable for spotting structural shifts, as monthly volatility is typically low compared to consumer-facing industries.
Frequently asked questions
- Does this series include renewable energy installation technicians?
- Technicians employed directly by energy supply companies are included, though independent green energy contractors may fall under construction or specialised services.
- Why is monthly volatility typically lower in this sector than in retail?
- Utility providers operate continuous infrastructure with permanent salaried personnel, avoiding the high turnover and seasonal casual hiring seen in commerce.
- Are municipal waste-to-energy plant workers counted here or in waste management?
- Workers are categorised according to the primary business classification of the operating company, which may place them in utility supply or waste services.