China’s transition into a major economy has been relentless and with that its energy consumption. While China is the largest user of natural gas and coal it has also evolved to become the world’s largest renewable energy generator. In 2016 China surpassed the US and reached close to 60% of Europe’s total renewable generation. In 2021 China overtook Europe, adding almost 290 terawatt-hours of total renewable electricity generation in one year. Last year, Japan and India generated a combined 302 terawatt-hours.
Back in 1965 the United States generated 13 terawatt-hours of renewable electricity with Europe generating 3 terawatt-hours. We don’t get any data on China’s renewable generation until 1990. At that time, it was 0.1 terawatt-hour, less than 1/600th of what the US was generating.
In 2016 China overtook the US and reached close to 60% of Europe’s total renewable generation. In 2021 China moved past Europe, adding almost 290 terawatt-hours of total renewable electricity generation in one year. The Asia shift has been impressive, last year, Japan and India generated a combined 302 terawatt-hours.
BP Plc since the 1960s shares an annual Statistical Review of World Energy. It provides valuable data on energy production, consumption, power generation and trade flows.
Source: Statistical Review of World Energy Bloomberg
From The TradersCommunity Research Desk