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The international energy situation > Energy consumption
Energy consumption
Initial estimates of worldwide primary energy consumption in 2009 suggest a downturn of close to 2.5%, reflecting the economic and financial crisis suffered during the year.

It should be remembered that in 2008 worldwide energy consumption rose by 1.4%, compared with an increase of 2.6% in 2007, according to data from BP (Statistical Review of World Energy). A downturn then began in the second half of 2008, in line with the evolution of economic indicators.

The estimate for worldwide energy consumption is for a level of 11.023 billion tonnes of oil equivalent (Toe).

Natural gas maintains its share of around 24% of primary energy consumption, without taking into consideration non-hydroelectric renewables, in accordance with the BP methodology. Coal may have increased its share by a fraction of a percentage point as a result of the continuing increase in use by major consumers (in particular China and India). Note: Chinese GDP grew by 8.7% in 2009.

WORLD PRIMARY ENERGY CONSUMPTION (1)
 
 
 
  • Coal
  • Oil
  • Natural gas
  • Nuclear (3)
  • Hydroelec.(4)
  • WORLD TOTAL
  • OECD
1995
106 Toe.
  • 2.258,3
  • 3.235,4
  • 1.913,2
  • 600,0
  • 216,6
  • 8.223,5
  • 4.770,1
%
  • 27,5
  • 39,3
  • 23,3
  • 7,3
  • 2,6
  • 100,0
  • 58,0
2000
106Toe.
  • 2.360,9
  • 3.537,2
  • 2.191,9
  • 584,5
  • 610,5
  • 9.285,0
  • 5.359,3
%
  • 25,4
  • 38,1
  • 23,6
  • 6,3
  • 6,6
  • 100,0
  • 57,7
2005
106Toe.
  • 2.957,0
  • 3.861,3
  • 2.512,2
  • 627,0
  • 666,6
  • 10.624,1
  • 5.559,9
%
  • 27,8
  • 36,3
  • 23,6
  • 5,9
  • 6,3
  • 100,0
  • 52,3
2008
106Toe.
  • 3.303,7
  • 3.927,9
  • 2.726,1
  • 619,7
  • 717,5
  • 11.294,9
  • 5.508,4
%
  • 29,2
  • 34,8
  • 24,1
  • 5,5
  • 6,4
  • 100,0
  • 48,8
2009 (2)
106Toe.
  • 3.237,6
  • 3.802,2
  • 2.644,3
  • 620,0
  • 719,0
  • 11.023,2
  • 5.244,0
%
  • 29,4
  • 34,5
  • 24,0
  • 5,6
  • 6,5
  • 100,0
  • 47,6
(1) Covers only energy is sold.
(2) Estimate
(3) (4) Calculation methodology modified by BP from its June 2002 report onwards. The new methodology (applied to every year of the series) assumes a value for nuclear and hydroelectric primary energy in terms equivalent to the energy required to generate the same quantity of electricity at a conventional power station, assuming a conversion efficiency of 38%.
Previously hydroelectric generation was considered as primary energy equivalent to the electricity produced, while for nuclear energy the efficiency factor used in the conversion was 33%.
One of the consequences of this change in a methodology is an increase in the total Primary energy consumption in every area and a reduction of the relative weighting of other energy sources, including natural gas.
This new methodology employed by BP is not used by Eurostat or the IEA, which, for hydroelectric and nuclear power, equate energy output at terminals to primary energy.

Source: BP Statistical Review of World Energy, Monthly Natural Gas Survey (IEA), Monthly Oil Survey (IEA) and prepared by Sedigas.

In the European Union, the figures suggest a downturn in total energy consumption in 2007 and 2008, following the plateau seen in 2006, in all cases in comparison with the previous year.

The European Union also noted the decline in demand, at levels potentially as high as 3.5%, in line with the pattern which began 2 years ago. This evolution is the product of the economic crisis and advances in energy efficiency in both electrical generation and end use.
STRUCTURE AND TOTAL Primary energy consumption
BY GEOGRAPHICAL AREA AND SELECTED COUNTRY
 
  • North America
  • USA
  • Canada
  • Central and Sur America
  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Venezuela
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Europe
  • Germany
  • Austria
  • Belgium and Luxembourg
  • Bulgaria
  • Denmark
  • Spain
  • Finland
  • France
  • Greece
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Netherlands
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • United Kingdom
  • Czech Republic
  • Romania
  • Sweden
  • CIS
  • Russian Fed.
  • Ukraine
  • Middle East
  • Iran
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Kuwait
  • UAE
  • Africa
  • South Africa
  • Egypt
  • Algeria
  • China and India
  • Australia
  • South Korea
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Indonesia
  • TOTAL WORLD
  • OCDE
Oil
  • 37,5
  • 38,5
  • 30,9
  • 48,0
  • 32,4
  • 46,2
  • 52,8
  • 39,9
  • 60,6
  • 35,5
  • 39,5
  • 38,0
  • 40,7
  • 57,6
  • 26,7
  • 52,0
  • 50,7
  • 39,2
  • 35,8
  • 61,8
  • 59,6
  • 45,8
  • 50,9
  • 25,6
  • 60,6
  • 37,2
  • 22,9
  • 28,0
  • 31,0
  • 19,4
  • 19,0
  • 11,8
  • 50,0
  • 43,4
  • 59,7
  • 57,1
  • 30,5
  • 38,0
  • 19,9
  • 43,9
  • 37,2
  • 29,2
  • 35,9
  • 43,0
  • 18,8
  • 31,2
  • 43,7
  • 46,1
  • 34,8
  • 39,6
Natural Gas
  • 26,3
  • 26,1
  • 27,3
  • 25,2
  • 53,6
  • 10,0
  • 35,5
  • 35,7
  • 8,3
  • 24,3
  • 25,2
  • 23,7
  • 25,8
  • 21,3
  • 14,4
  • 24,0
  • 25,9
  • 13,4
  • 15,4
  • 11,0
  • 29,8
  • 39,6
  • 38,0
  • 12,8
  • 18,1
  • 39,9
  • 18,0
  • 34,7
  • 1,9
  • 51,5
  • 55,2
  • 40,9
  • 48,0
  • 55,1
  • 40,3
  • 42,9
  • 69,5
  • 24,0
  • 0,0
  • 49,5
  • 60,6
  • 11,0
  • 17,9
  • 14,9
  • 3,6
  • 8,6
  • 16,6
  • 27,5
  • 24,1
  • 24,6
Coal
  • 22,7
  • 24,6
  • 10,0
  • 4,3
  • 0,5
  • 6,4
  • 5,3
  • 0,0
  • 11,6
  • 7,6
  • 17,5
  • 26,0
  • 9,4
  • 6,4
  • 37,1
  • 24,0
  • 10,4
  • 12,7
  • 4,6
  • 24,9
  • 9,3
  • 9,6
  • 10,1
  • 61,0
  • 14,2
  • 16,7
  • 44,1
  • 20,4
  • 4,3
  • 17,9
  • 14,8
  • 29,9
  • 1,5
  • 0,7
  • 0,0
  • 0,0
  • 0,0
  • 31,0
  • 77,7
  • 1,3
  • 1,9
  • 51,0
  • 43,3
  • 27,5
  • 70,2
  • 53,4
  • 25,4
  • 24,3
  • 29,2
  • 21,3
Nuclear
  • 8,1
  • 8,4
  • 6,4
  • 0,9
  • 2,1
  • 1,4
  • 1,3
  • 0,2
  • 0,0
  • 0,0
  • 11,5
  • 10,8
  • 0,0
  • 14,5
  • 17,8
  • 0,0
  • 11,5
  • 20,1
  • 38,6
  • 0,0
  • 0,0
  • 0,0
  • 1,0
  • 0,0
  • 0,0
  • 5,6
  • 13,9
  • 6,6
  • 31,0
  • 5,5
  • 5,4
  • 15,4
  • 0,0
  • 0,0
  • 0,0
  • 0,0
  • 0,0
  • 0,8
  • 2,3
  • 0,0
  • 0,0
  • 3,0
  • 0,0
  • 14,2
  • 0,8
  • 0,8
  • 11,2
  • 0,0
  • 5,5
  • 9,4
Hidro.
  • 5,3
  • 2,5
  • 25,4
  • 21,5
  • 11,3
  • 36,1
  • 5,0
  • 24,1
  • 19,5
  • 32,6
  • 6,3
  • 1,4
  • 24,0
  • 0,1
  • 4,0
  • 0,0
  • 1,5
  • 14,6
  • 5,5
  • 2,3
  • 1,3
  • 5,0
  • 0,0
  • 0,6
  • 7,1
  • 0,5
  • 1,2
  • 10,3
  • 31,7
  • 5,7
  • 5,5
  • 2,0
  • 0,5
  • 0,9
  • 0,0
  • 0,0
  • 0,0
  • 6,2
  • 0,2
  • 5,2
  • 0,3
  • 5,3
  • 2,9
  • 0,4
  • 6,6
  • 6,0
  • 3,1
  • 2,2
  • 6,4
  • 5,2
%
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
  • 100,0
106 Toe.
  • 2.628,6
  • 2.298,9
  • 329,7
  • 750,0
  • 74,6
  • 228,0
  • 170,4
  • 81,4
  • 27,7
  • 30,1
  • 1.892,1
  • 311,1
  • 32,9
  • 71,7
  • 20,2
  • 17,1
  • 134,3
  • 26,8
  • 257,8
  • 34,6
  • 15,1
  • 176,6
  • 91,3
  • 97,4
  • 22,6
  • 211,6
  • 43,3
  • 37,8
  • 46,7
  • 1.072,7
  • 684,6
  • 131,5
  • 613,5
  • 192,1
  • 174,5
  • 26,8
  • 75,2
  • 356,1
  • 132,3
  • 74,3
  • 37,6
  • 3.981,9
  • 118,4
  • 240,2
  • 2.002,1
  • 433,3
  • 507,6
  • 124,5
  • 11.294,9
  • 5.508,4
Source: BP Statistical Review of World Energy and prepared by Sedigas.
The promotion of renewable energies remains a key objective of energy policy, hence the fact that their share of total energy consumption continues to rise.

Most developed countries have increased their installed power and have future plans with ambitious target in this field. In fact, renewable energies were the only primary energy sources to see a clear increase in their role in energy demand across the OECD countries as a whole.

For some such energy sources, particularly wind power, technological advances are increasing efficiency and reducing costs at a heady pace. For marine generating plants (wind offshore) the prospects are considerable, with significant technological and regulatory advances. Despite the financial crisis, which is leading to a slowdown in the construction of marine wind farms in some countries (installed wind power amounted to 8600 MW by the end of 2009, only 1% higher than in 2008), forecasts are optimistic.

The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) announced in March 2009 the conclusions of its Annual Report, estimating that by 2013 installed wind power worldwide would amount to 332 GW, compared with 120 GW at the close of 2008.

Examples of the progress last year would be the start-up of an 11-turbine farm in Belgium in late November, with each generator having a power rating of 6 MW, the fact that China ended the year with twice the installed power it had at the close of 2008, and the development in Germany of the country's first marine wind farm.

Photovoltaic output is undergoing considerable expansion. According to European Commission studies, over the period 2007-2008 it grew by 80%, up to a level of 7,300 MW installed power. This level is expected to rise to around 60,000 MW by 2015.

Exports of subsidised biofuels into the EU continue to concern those countries which have committed to this renewable energy source. In late November it was announced that the European Biodiesel Board was preparing a formal complaint against the ongoing imports of biodiesel from the USA.

PRIMARY ENERGY CONSUMPTION IN THE EUROPEAN UNION. EU 27
 
 
 
  • Coal
  • Oil
  • Natural gas
  • Nuclear
  • Renewable
  • TOTAL
2005
106 Toe
  • 319,5
  • 676,5
  • 446,0
  • 257,4
  • 121,6
  • 1.821,0
 
%
  • 17,5
  • 37,1
  • 24,5
  • 14,1
  • 6,7
  • 100,0
2006
106Toe
  • 325,1
  • 673,1
  • 438,0
  • 255,3
  • 129,9
  • 1.821,4
 
%
  • 17,8
  • 37,0
  • 24,0
  • 14,0
  • 7,1
  • 100,0
2007
106Toe
  • 331,2
  • 656,9
  • 432,4
  • 241,3
  • 141,0
  • 1.802,8
 
%
  • 18,4
  • 36,4
  • 24,0
  • 13,4
  • 7,8
  • 100,0
2008 (1)
106Toe
  • 312,7
  • 647,0
  • 444,1
  • 239,1
  • 144,3
  • 1.787,2
 
%
  • 17,5
  • 36,2
  • 24,8
  • 13,4
  • 8,1
  • 100,0
2009 (2)
106Toe
  • 285,0
  • 630,0
  • 415,2
  • 242,0
  • 150,0
  • 1.722,2
 
%
  • 16,5
  • 36,6
  • 24,1
  • 14,1
  • 8,7
  • 100,0
(1) Provisional data obtained from Energy. Monthly statistics. Eurostat. European Commission.
(2) Estimate.

Source: Energy Yearly Statistics 2007 and Energy Monthly Statistics. Eurostat. European Commission. Luxembourg. 2009; Eurogas; Monthy Oil Survey (AIE) and prepared by Sedigas.

Most of the development plans of the new nuclear groups announced in 2008 are going ahead. For example, the British government specified in mid-April eleven possible sites for new power stations. The UK government has set a target of 2013 for the start of construction work on eight new power plants, which would be the first nuclear facilities to be built in the country for 23 years. In the second half of April China began construction of the first of its third-generation reactors. The country has plans to have 40 GW of nuclear power installed by 2020, compared with the current 9 GW.

Meanwhile, Germany will be postponing the shut-down of its nuclear programme, having prolonged the lifespan of a number of power plants. This operational extension of nuclear units up to 40 years is a pattern also seen in the USA and Belgium.

At a summit held in London in October, the World Energy Council (WEC) called on countries to increase nuclear energy output, a measure seen by them as one of the four cornerstones of the fight against climate change. Investment in technology, increases in energy efficiency and CO2 capture and storage are the other three key items.

The Vice-Chairman of the WEC indicated that incentives for renewables are essential in order to break down barriers, but must be removed in the medium term, once a market has been created.
EUROPEAN UNION. FINAL ENERGY CONSUMPTION BY SECTOR. EU 27
 
 
 
  • Industry
  • Transport
  • Residential-Commerc.
  • TOTAL
2003
106 Toe
  • 331,6
  • 352,3
  • 475,9
  • 1.159,8
 
%
  • 28,6
  • 30,4
  • 41,0
  • 100,0
2004
106Toe
  • 332,2
  • 360,7
  • 480,1
  • 1.173,0
 
%
  • 28,3
  • 30,8
  • 40,9
  • 100,0
2005
106Toe
  • 325,8
  • 363,2
  • 483,3
  • 1.172,3
 
%
  • 27,8
  • 31,0
  • 41,2
  • 100,0
2006
106Toe
  • 319,5
  • 371,1
  • 484,9
  • 1.175,5
 
%
  • 27,2
  • 31,6
  • 41,3
  • 100,0
2007
106Toe
  • 322,9
  • 377,2
  • 457,6
  • 1.157,7
 
%
  • 27,9
  • 32,6
  • 39,5
  • 100,0
Source: Energy Yearly Statistics 2007. Eurostat. European Commission. Luxembourg. 2009.Prepared by Sedigas.
EUROPEAN UNION. FUEL CONSUMPTION IN ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION. EU 27 (1)
(GWh generated)
 
 
  • Coal
  • Oil Products
  • Natural gas
  • Hydraulic
  • Nuclear
  • Other (2)
  •   Where wind:
  • TOTAL
2004
GWh
  • 982.375
  • 145.985
  • 616.041
  • 357.147
  • 1.008.437
  • 177.581
  • 58.815
  • 3.287.566
%
  • 29,9
  • 4,4
  • 18,7
  • 10,9
  • 30,7
  • 5,4
  • - -
  • 100,0
2005
GWh
  • 969.244
  • 138.973
  • 660.980
  • 341.388
  • 997.699
  • 200.663
  • 70.486
  • 3.308.947
%
  • 29,3
  • 4,2
  • 20,0
  • 10,3
  • 30,2
  • 6,1
  • - -
  • 100,0
2006
GWh
  • 987.108
  • 131.685
  • 681.668
  • 344.614
  • 989.877
  • 219.002
  • 82.306
  • 3.353.954
%
  • 29,4
  • 3,9
  • 20,3
  • 10,3
  • 29,5
  • 6,5
  • - -
  • 100,0
2007
GWh
  • 988.367
  • 112.483
  • 725.097
  • 343.768
  • 935.277
  • 256.702
  • 104.259
  • 3.361.694
%
  • 29,4
  • 3,3
  • 21,6
  • 10,2
  • 27,8
  • 7,6
  • - -
  • 100,0
(1) Gross output at terminals. Includes electrical output sold by self-producers.
(2) Wind, solar, geothermal, derivative gases, biomass and urban and industrial waste.

Source: Energy Yearly Statistics 2007. Eurostat. European Commission.. Luxembourg. 2009. Prepared by Sedigas.
  • Naturgas
    NATURGAS
  • Naturgas
    MEDGAZ
Annual Report 2.009: Sedigas - The Spanish Gas Association