Analysis released by the Statistical Review of World Energy showed that global energy production and consumption in 2023 reached record highs.
For the second consecutive year, global energy consumption increased. Primary energy consumption rose by 2% from 2022 levels, and exceeded pre-Covid levels (2019) by 5%, reaching 620 Exjoules (EJ).
In terms of energy sources, renewable energy sources grew six times faster than primary energy consumption, and accounted for 14.6% of global energy. Fossil fuels remained dominant, making up 81.5% of primary energy consumption, although this does show a slight decline from the previous year.
Emissions of greenhouse gases from energy use and industrial processes surpassed 40 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent for the first time, increasing by 2.1% in 2023.
There was a rise in oil consumption, with oil use breaking the 100 million barrels per day mark for the first time. Production of oil also hit a record high of 96 million barrels per day. North America saw both a rise in the production of oil and its consumption. However the Asia-Pacific region saw a significant increase in demand for oil. Europe experienced a slight decline.
Coal consumption also reached a record high, with demand for both coal production and consumption highest in China and India.
Global electricity generation saw a 2.5% increase, with renewables responsible for 30% of the total. China led the way in new installations for wind and solar energy, whose demand continues to increase.
There was also an 8% increase in biofuels production. This was largely driven by growth in the United States and Brazil.
