Global primary energy consumption by source 2019-2020

Oil is the most consumed primary energy fuel in the world. In 2020, some 174 exajoules worth of oil were consumed. This was a notable decrease compared to the previous year and a result of the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on transportation fuel demand. Hydroelectricity and renewable energy were the only primary energy sources to note a consumption growth that year.

Rising demand for fossil fuels

Demand for fossil fuels – such as natural gas, oil, and coal – has remained high, as overall primary energy demand continues to increase. Excluding the effects of the pandemic, the use of oil has consistently grown each year. Consumption of other non-renewable fuel types has been more varied, with natural gas briefly overtaking coal as the second-most consumed fuel in 2015. Global natural gas consumption has risen more or less consistently. Its properties as a less carbon-intensive fossil fuel than coal have led to an increase in its use in the power sector, overtaking coal use in major economies such as the United States.

Natural gas use by region

North America has recorded one of the greatest increases in natural gas consumption of world regions as the U.S. has become one of the largest producer in the world. High levels of U.S. supply have markedly reduced the price of natural gas in the country, with natural gas prices for energy generation closing in on coal prices.