Coal has remained the leading source of electricity generation worldwide for the past three decades. In 2019, coal power generation stood at 9,914 terawatt-hours. Natural gas ranked second, with more than 6,300 terawatt-hours generated that year. The use of wind and solar energy has notably increased in the time span depicted, however when compared to fossil fuel sources their contribution to the world's power mix remains small.
Generation of electricity worldwide from 1990 to 2019, by energy source
(in terawatt hours)
* Includes peat and oil shale.
** Includes generation from pumped-hydro power stations.
*** Includes geothermal, solar thermal, tide, and generation from chemical heat and other sources.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Statista Accounts:
Access All Statistics. Starting from $468 / Year
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
IEA. (December 9, 2021). Generation of electricity worldwide from 1990 to 2019, by energy source (in terawatt hours) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved June 27, 2022, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/273273/world-electricity-generation-by-energy-source/
IEA. "Generation of electricity worldwide from 1990 to 2019, by energy source (in terawatt hours)." Chart. December 9, 2021. Statista. Accessed June 27, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/273273/world-electricity-generation-by-energy-source/
IEA. (2021). Generation of electricity worldwide from 1990 to 2019, by energy source (in terawatt hours). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: June 27, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/273273/world-electricity-generation-by-energy-source/
IEA. "Generation of Electricity Worldwide from 1990 to 2019, by Energy Source (in Terawatt Hours)." Statista, Statista Inc., 9 Dec 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/273273/world-electricity-generation-by-energy-source/
IEA, Generation of electricity worldwide from 1990 to 2019, by energy source (in terawatt hours) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/273273/world-electricity-generation-by-energy-source/ (last visited June 27, 2022)
