World power consumption reached a document peak of 620 Exjoules (EJ) in 2023, with fossil gasoline consumption and power sector emissions additionally hitting document highs, in line with the Statistical Evaluation of World Power, printed 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 had been at 81.5%, marginally down from 82% final yr.
And emissions from power elevated by 2%, exceeding 40 gigatonnes of CO2 for the primary time.
Nevertheless it was additionally a yr of document uptake of renewable power, whose rose 13% to a document excessive of 4,748 TWh (excluding hydroelectric). This development was pushed nearly solely by wind and photo voltaic, which rose by 13% to hit a brand new document of 4,748 terawatt hours in 2023.
Divergent paths
Beneath the figures, the story to be instructed 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 “prone to have peaked”.
In Europe fossil fuels fell to under 70% of main power for the primary time for the reason that Industrial Revolution, pushed by demand discount and renewable power development.
US consumption of fossil fuels fell to 80% of complete main power consumed.
Nonetheless, in India fossil gasoline consumption was up 8%, accounting for nearly all demand development, and stood at 89% share of general consumption. For the primary time, extra coal was utilized in India than Europe and North America mixed.
In Africa main power consumption fell in 2023 by 0.5%. Fossil fuels accounted for 90% of general power consumption, with renewables (excluding hydro) at solely 6% of electrical energy.
China’s full return post-Covid noticed fossil gasoline use enhance to a brand new excessive, up 6%, however as a share of main power 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 power per capita foundation for the primary time.
EI Chief Govt Nick Wayth CEng FEI, stated:“The progress of the transition is sluggish, however the massive image masks numerous power tales taking part in out throughout totally different geographies. In superior economies we observe indicators of demand for fossil fuels peaking, contrasting with economies within the World South for whom financial improvement and enhancements in high quality of life proceed to drive fossil development.”
Simon Virley CB FEI, Vice Chair and Head of Power and Pure Assets, KPMG within the UK stated: “In a yr the place we have now seen the contribution of renewables reaching a brand new document excessive, ever rising international power demand means the share coming from fossil fuels has remained just about unchanged at simply over 80% for yet one more yr.
“With CO2 emissions additionally reaching document ranges, it’s time to redouble our efforts on lowering carbon emissions and offering finance and capability to construct extra low carbon power sources within the international south the place demand is rising at a fast tempo.”
Commentary in The Guardian famous that the findings would augur sick for hopes voiced at COP final yr, that 2023 would go down in historical past because the yr during which annual emissions peaked earlier than the worldwide fossil gasoline economic system started a terminal decline.
