The International Energy Agency (IEA) revealed that global energy consumption increased by 2.2% in 2024, a rate almost double the average recorded between 2013 and 2023 (1.3%).
This growth was driven by the demand for electricity and a decrease in the use of oil, which for the first time fell below 30% of the global share, after reaching its peak of 46% 50 years ago.
Main data from the IEA report
Electricity: Demand grew by over 4%, adding 1,100 terawatt-hours, equivalent to Japan’s annual consumption.
This increase is linked to:
- Cooling systems due to record temperatures.
- Data center needs, artificial intelligence, and electric transportation.
Renewable energies and nuclear: Accounted for 80% of the additional electricity consumed in 2024 and reached 40% of total global electricity production for the first time.
Electric vehicles: For every five cars sold, one is electric, which represented a sales increase of over 25% in the year.
Increase in gas consumption and emerging countries
Among fossil fuels, gas recorded the highest growth, with an increase of 115,000 million cubic meters (+2.7%).
The increase in global energy consumption was mainly driven by emerging and developing countries, which accounted for 80% of the rise. Although growth in China slowed down, energy consumption in advanced economies also experienced an increase (+1%), breaking years of decline.
A global shift towards electricity
Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the IEA, highlighted that the rapid increase in electricity use has reversed previous trends of decline in developed economies, reflecting how electrification is transforming energy consumption patterns globally.
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