Choose exam board for KS4 Computer Science (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 English
Choose exam board for KS4 French
Choose exam board for KS4 Geography
Choose exam board for KS4 German
Choose exam board for KS4 History
Choose tier for KS4 Maths
Choose exam board for KS4 Music
Choose exam board for KS4 Physical education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Religious education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Spanish

      Factors affecting access to energy resources

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can explain how access to energy resources is affected by physical resources and access to technology.

      Key learning points

      1. Access to energy resources is not evenly distributed.
      2. Access to energy resources is affected by physical resources, such as geology, accessibility, climate and landscape.
      3. Access to energy resources is affected by access to technology.

      Keywords

      • Access - the ability to use a resource in a way that benefits people

      • Geology - the type, structure and layers of rock found beneath Earth’s surface

      • Reserve - the amount of a fossil fuel that has been discovered and can be extracted and sold

      • Fracking - hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is a method used to extract gas or oil from shale rock formations deep underground

      Common misconception

      If a country has fossil fuels underground, it can easily use them.

      Some countries lack the infrastructure or funding to develop their resources, even if they are accessible, while in other cases a country might have resources that require advanced and expensive technology to access.

      Teacher tip

      Use this topic to refresh and develop students' skills in use and interpretation of world maps showing the distribution of energy resources.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

      Loading...

      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What is an example of a non-renewable energy source?

      Solar power
      Wind energy
      Correct answer: Coal
      Hydroelectric power

      Q2.
      Which of these is a renewable source of energy?

      Oil
      Natural gas
      Correct answer: Geothermal energy
      Nuclear energy

      Q3.
      What is meant by "recyclable energy"?

      Energy that can be stored for future use
      Energy that is naturally replenished
      Correct answer: Energy that can be reused, like biofuels or nuclear material
      Energy created by recycling waste

      Q4.
      What is a potential environmental impact of mining for fossil fuels?

      Increased biodiversity
      Correct answer: Landscape scarring
      Improved soil fertility
      Lower carbon emissions

      Q5.
      Which of the following causes carbon emissions that contribute to global warming?

      Using solar panels
      Building wind farms
      Using geothermal heat pumps
      Correct answer: Burning coal

      Q6.
      Why is recyclable energy different from renewable energy?

      Correct answer: Recyclable energy can run out if not reused
      Renewable energy is produced from fossil fuels
      Recyclable energy is a type of non-renewable energy
      Renewable energy sources can be recycled

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      What does 'access' to energy resources mean?

      Having unlimited free energy
      Correct answer: The ability to use energy resources for the benefit of people
      Exporting energy to other countries
      Storing energy underground

      Q2.
      What is an energy 'reserve'?

      A future plan to build energy plants
      A place where energy is stored
      Correct answer: The discovered amount of fossil fuel that can be extracted and sold
      Energy produced by renewable sources

      Q3.
      What is 'fracking'?

      Using rivers to generate electricity
      Drilling for oil in the ocean
      Burning coal for energy
      Correct answer: Extracting gas or oil from deep shale rocks

      Q4.
      Why might a country not extract all the fossil fuels it has?

      Fossil fuels cannot run out
      Correct answer: Environmental concerns and extraction costs
      There are no international rules about fossil fuels
      Fossil fuels regenerate quickly

      To help you plan your 11 geography lesson on: Factors affecting access to energy resources, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...