India's energy consumption up 5.8%, coal still dominates: World Energy Review

Time of India

a day ago

New Delhi: Fossil fuels accounted for 81.5 per cent of total primary energy consumption globally in 2023, despite the strongest-ever increase in renewable power generation, according to the 74th edition of the Statistical Review of World Energy, released by the
Energy Institute
in collaboration with Kearney and KPMG.
Global primary energy consumption rose by 2 per cent to a new high of 620 Exajoules (EJ) in 2023. While renewable energy (excluding hydro) grew by 13 per cent, adding 4 EJ to reach 42 EJ, it was not sufficient to offset the 1.5 per cent rise in oil demand and 0.6 per cent rise in coal consumption. Global natural gas demand remained relatively flat at 142 EJ.
CO₂ emissions from energy use increased by 2 per cent year-on-year to reach a record 39.3 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent (GtCO₂e). Emissions from methane and flaring added another 5 GtCO₂e, bringing total energy-related emissions to 44.1 GtCO₂e.
China and India together accounted for 80 per cent of the global growth in energy demand. India's energy consumption rose by 5.8 per cent, with the share of coal in primary energy at 57 per cent, followed by oil at 29 per cent. India's renewable power generation increased by 13 per cent, while fossil fuel-based generation also grew, reflecting the country's rising energy needs.
"India saw a significant increase in power generation, with fossil fuels still accounting for 76 per cent of the mix. Renewable generation rose to 22 per cent, hydro stood at 8 per cent, and wind and solar together represented over 90 per cent of renewables," the report noted .
Oil remained the dominant fuel globally at 31.4 per cent of total energy, followed by coal at 26.1 per cent, and natural gas at 22.5 per cent. Despite record renewable additions, fossil fuel use reached a record high in absolute terms, driven by population and economic growth in developing regions.
"Renewables met 30 per cent of the growth in electricity generation, but fossil fuels still dominated total primary energy demand," the report said. Electricity demand globally rose by 2.5 per cent, and power generation hit 30,359 TWh, led by China, India, and Southeast Asia .
Hydro output fell by 2 per cent globally, while nuclear generation rose by 2.8 per cent, with China contributing over 50 per cent of the net increase. Natural gas demand fell in Europe by 7 per cent and remained flat in North America, but grew in Asia Pacific and the Middle East.
"Despite decarbonisation efforts, fossil fuel consumption remains high. The energy trilemma—balancing security, affordability, and sustainability—continues to shape energy decisions," the report concluded.
The Energy Institute's review stressed that while the clean energy transition is underway, the pace is uneven and emissions continue to rise.