International vitality consumption reached a report peak of 620 Exjoules (EJ) in 2023, with fossil gasoline consumption and vitality sector emissions additionally hitting report highs, in response to the Statistical Review of World Energyprinted on 20 June by the Power Institute, Kearney and KPMG.
The report famous that in 2023 international fossil gasoline consumption rose 1.5% to 505 EJ, which was pushed by coal rising by 1.6%, and oil rising by 2% to over 100 million barrels for the primary time, whereas gasoline consumption remained flat. As a share of the general combine they have been at 81.5%, marginally down from 82% final 12 months.
And emissions from vitality elevated by 2%, exceeding 40 gigatonnes of CO2 for the primary time.
Nevertheless it was additionally a 12 months of report uptake of renewable vitality, whose rose 13% to a report excessive of 4,748 TWh (excluding hydroelectric). This development was pushed nearly completely by wind and photo voltaic, which rose by 13% to hit a brand new report of 4,748 terawatt hours in 2023.
Divergent paths
Beneath the figures, the story to be advised was one in all divergence between totally different elements of the world, with development economies akin to India clearly struggling to curb fossil fuels development, whereas in China renewables uptake was clearly accelerating. In the meantime, dependence on fossil fuels in main superior economies was “likely to have peaked”.
In Europe fossil fuels fell to beneath 70% of major vitality for the primary time because the Industrial Revolution, pushed by demand discount and renewable vitality development.
US consumption of fossil fuels fell to 80% of whole major vitality consumed.
Nevertheless, in India fossil gasoline consumption was up 8%, accounting for nearly all demand development, and stood at 89% share of total consumption. For the primary time, extra coal was utilized in India than Europe and North America mixed.
In Africa major vitality consumption fell in 2023 by 0.5%. Fossil fuels accounted for 90% of total vitality consumption, with renewables (excluding hydro) at solely 6% of electrical energy.
China’s full return post-Covid noticed fossil gasoline use improve to a brand new excessive, up 6%, however as a share of major vitality it has been in decline since 2011, right down to 81.6% in 2023. China added 55% of all renewable technology additions in 2023, i.e. greater than the remainder of the world mixed. It additionally overtook Europe on an vitality per capita foundation for the primary time.
EI Chief Govt Nick Wayth CEng FEI, mentioned:“The progress of the transition is slow, but the big picture masks diverse energy stories playing out across different geographies. In advanced economies we observe signs of demand for fossil fuels peaking, contrasting with economies in the Global South for whom economic development and improvements in quality of life continue to drive fossil growth.”
Simon Virley CB FEI, Vice Chair and Head of Power and Pure Assets, KPMG within the UK mentioned: “In a 12 months the place we now have seen the contribution of renewables reaching a brand new report excessive, ever rising international vitality demand means the share coming from fossil fuels has remained nearly unchanged at simply over 80% for one more 12 months.
“With CO2 emissions also reaching record levels, it’s time to redouble our efforts on reducing carbon emissions and providing finance and capacity to build more low carbon energy sources in the global south where demand is growing at a rapid pace.”
Commentary in The Guardian famous that the findings would augur in poor health for hopes voiced at COP final 12 months, that 2023 would go down in historical past because the 12 months by which annual emissions peaked earlier than the worldwide fossil gasoline financial system started a terminal decline.
