In 2024, global energy demand reached a new record, 592 exajoules, driven by Asian industrialization and the explosion of electricity consumption linked to artificial intelligence. Yet, despite the advance of renewable sources which set a record with an increase of 700 gigawatts and the return of nuclear power, fossil fuels remain the pillar of the system: oil, coal and natural gas continue to cover 86.7% of global needs.
Global energy demand growth over the past year increased nearly double its recent average. Demand in advanced economies is also returning to growth after years of declines, with a rapid expansion of electricity worldwide. In this sector, the innovations of the energy transition are intertwined with the challenges of an evolving world.
Global energy use has risen to 592 exajoules: between fossil and renewable sources
Global energy use rose to 592 exajoules in 2024, setting a new record in demand, according to data from the Energy Institute. Last year, oil, coal and natural gas together provided 86.7% of global energy needs: oil remained the main energy source, accounting for 199 exajoules, or 33.6% of global supply. Coal follows with 27.9%, supported by increased consumption in emerging economies.
Natural gas, while cleaner than coal, supplied 25.2%, recording the largest increase in demand among fossil fuels, growing 115 billion cubic meters, or 2.7%, compared to an average of about 75 bcm per year over the past decade. Meanwhile, oil demand increased more slowly, rising 0.8% in 2024.
Low-carbon energy sources are also growing at a significant rate. In 2024, their combined share rose to 13.5%, supported by a 7% annual increase. In particular, wind and solar stood out, growing by 16% and remaining the fastest growing energy sources in the world.
New renewable energy capacity installed worldwide has risen to around 700 gigawatts, setting a new record. Additionally, nuclear energy accounted for 5.2% of supply, with France and Japan responsible for nearly two-thirds of its growth. According to the International Energy Agency’s Global Energy Review, 80% of the increase in global electricity generation in 2024 was provided by renewables and nuclear, which together contributed to 40% of total generation for the first time.
Major contribution: the electricity sector +4.3%
The International Energy Agency highlighted that global energy demand grew 2.2% last year, a faster increase than the average annual increase in demand between 2013 and 2023. Emerging and developing economies accounted for more than 80% of the increase in demand in 2024, despite slower growth in China, where energy consumption increased by less than 3%.
The acceleration of global energy demand growth in 2024 was led by the electricity sector, with electricity consumption increasing by nearly 1,100 terawatt-hours, or 4.3%. Overall, electricity demand has grown at double the rate of total energy demand, indicating major electrification of the economy. Regionally, Asia-Pacific (+5.4%) and the Middle East (+5.3%) recorded the fastest growth.
China, United States and India: energy and geopolitical competition
The world’s three largest consumers of electricity (China, India and the United States) saw an increase in fossil fuel generation in 2024, while the fourth largest consumer, the EU, saw a decline thanks to decarbonisation policies. In 2024 alone, in all forms of renewable energy, China added twice as much as the United States, Europe and India combined.
Excluding hydropower, China was responsible for nearly 60% of total new global renewable capacity installed in 2024. In addition to being the world’s leading producer of renewable energy, Beijing also holds dominance in the production of solar panels and wind turbines, giving it significant influence over global supply chains.
The United States has been the world’s largest oil producer, accounting for a fifth of global production in 2024. American production is now essentially equal to that of Saudi Arabia and Russia combined. Under President Donald Trump, Washington has reversed course on the energy transition, aiming to boost fossil fuel production, reducing environmental regulations and promoting the use of coal and natural gas.
Fossils are also a key resource for India: New Delhi has become the world’s largest buyer of Russian oil, accounting for more than 60% of Moscow’s maritime exports in 2024. A supply that has helped the country save at least 17 billion dollars thanks to discounted prices. At the same time, after the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine, Moscow had to give up a large part of the European market. For the EU, energy has become a complex geopolitical challenge, connected to the need to reduce dependence on Russian supplies and at the same time guarantee energy security and the transition towards renewable sources.
