Surge in global energy needs unveils hidden concerns

Globally we are consuming more energy than ever before, in fact a new record was reached in global primary energy consumption in 2023. However, what stands out is that most of the energy used came from very few sources.

The world’s primary energy consumption hit 620 exajoules last year according to data from the Energy Institute’s 2024 Statistical Review of World Energy, which was up a lot from 2023 figures. 

Visual Capitalist reported in its breakdown of the world’s latest energy use statistics that in 2022 global energy use also hit a record at 607 exajoules. But what does this mean?

An exajoule (ej) is a complicated international unit of energy but the easiest way to think about it for our purposes is as the figure representing how much energy the world uses. 

For example, Statista reported in its research on world energy consumption that China is the largest consumer of energy and used roughly 170.74 exajoules of energy in 2023.

China’s energy consumption was far ahead of the world’s next major energy user, which was the United States at 92.28 exajoules. But where does all of this energy come from?

One of the major questions the Energy Institute answered in its latest Statistical Review of World Energy was the different energies being used, and the findings are surprising. 

Consumption in exajoules: 196

Percentage of consumption: 32%

Is the energy source a fossil fuel: Yes

Consumption in exajoules: 164

Percentage of consumption: 26%

Is the energy source a fossil fuel: Yes

Consumption in exajoules: 144

Percentage of consumption: 23%

Is the energy source a fossil fuel: Yes

Consumption in exajoules: 40

Percentage of consumption: 6%

Is the energy source a fossil fuel: Yes

Consumption in exajoules: 25

Percentage of consumption: 4%

Is the energy source a fossil fuel: Yes

Consumption in exajoules: 51

Percentage of consumption: 8%

Is the energy source a fossil fuel: Yes

According to the data, energy derived from fossil fuels made up a shocking 81% of the energy used by humanity in 2023 while renewable energies only accounted for the other 19%. 

Even more concerning is the fact that other popular renewable energy sources like solar and wind made up only 8% of the energy humans use, and the number is likely smaller since all other forms of renewable energy were added to that total.

There was some good news, however. Included in the Energy Institute’s report was the finding that both solar and wind capacity continued to grow in 2023. It beat the 2022 record of 276 gigawatts by 186 gigawatts, which was a 67% increase!

“The progress of the transition is slow, but the big picture masks diverse energy stories playing out across different geographies. This year we provide additional visualizations to bring these contrasts to life, “ explained the Energy Institute Chief Executive Dr. Nick Wayth in a statement. 

“From advanced economies where we see signs of demand for fossil fuels peaking, to economies in the Global South for whom economic development and improvements in quality of life continue to drive fossil growth,” Dr. Nick Wayth added. 

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