Global electricity consumption 1980-2016
Consumption of electricity worldwide from 1980 to 2016 (in billion kilowatt hours)
This statistic represents worldwide electricity consumption between 1980 and 2016. In 2016, the world's electricity consumption amounted to approximately 21.8 trillion kilowatt hours. One quadrillion watts is approximately equal to one petawatt.
Global consumption of electricity
Global consumption of electricity has increased over the last decades from 7,323 terawatt hours in 1980 to 21.8 terawatt hours in 2016 In a similar pattern, power consumption in China has quickly risen, reaching 6,840 terawatt hours in 2018China is the highest consumer of electricity in the world with the United States following close behind, consuming 4,148 terawatt hours in 2016. Generally, countries with larger populations consume more energy. However, Canada was one of the highest consumers of electricity at 538 terawatt hours, despite having a population of about 36 million inhabitants. Per capita consumption of electricity can vary widely due to electricity rates, appliances penetration, market saturation, and heating and cooling.
Electricity consumption tends to be smaller than the amount of electricity generated due to several factors, such as grid and storage losses and self-consumption from power plants. However, cogeneration power plants are able to use energy that is often wasted in forms of heat or energy for industrial processes. In Alberta, Canada, electric cogeneration energy production accounted for 25 terawatt hours . Currently it is estimated that over 20 percent of the world’s electricity generation is derived from renewable sources. In the United States, about almost 275 billion kilowatt hours of electricity was generated from wind power in 2018.
Consumption of electricity worldwide from 1980 to 2016 (in billion kilowatt hours)
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| Net consumption in billion kilowatt hours | |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 21,801 |
| 2015 | 21,192 |
| 2014 | 20,761 |
| 2013 | 20,340 |
| 2012 | 19,713 |
| 2011 | 19,324 |
| 2010 | 18,643 |
| 2005 | 15,717 |
| 2000 | 13,253 |
| 1995 | 11,486 |
| 1990 | 10,395 |
| 1985 | 8,657 |
| 1980 | 7,323 |
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