Energy consumption growth driven by the Middle East, Africa, and Asia

Energy consumption grew rapidly in the Middle East, Asia and Africa while in North America, energy consumption grew only by 1 per cent between 2010 and 2016, and in Europe, energy use fell 4 per cent between those years.  Getty Images photo.

Energy consumption growth in Asia, Middle East and Africa hit about 20 per cent between 2010-2016

By Ari Kahan

This article was published by the US Energy Information Administration on Jan. 10, 2019. 

Energy consumption in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa continues to grow rapidly, with about 20 per cent growth in each region between 2010 and 2016, according to newly available data in EIA’s International Energy Statistics database.

In particular, energy consumption has been increasing in the Middle East and Africa, driven by economic growth, increased access to energy markets, and quickly growing populations. Energy consumption in Asia grew even as energy consumption in China declined between 2015 and 2016.

energy use by world region
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, International Energy Statistics

Although growth was rapid in Africa and the Middle East, Asia and Oceania consumed much more energy overall (42 per cent of 2016 world energy consumption, compared with 6 per cent in the Middle East and 3 per cent in Africa).

Slower long-term energy consumption trends continued in the mature economies of North America, where energy consumption grew by 1 per cent between 2010 and 2016, and in Europe, where energy consumption actually fell 4 per cent between those years.

energy use by fuel
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, International Energy Statistics

Globally, petroleum and other liquid fuels (including biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel) are the most prevalent form of energy consumed. Growing use of these fuels has been supported by increasing supplies of U.S. shale oil and other international sources of liquid fuels that have kept prices relatively competitive.

Global coal consumption continued to decline as a result of competition from low cost natural gas as well as some countries’ policies to limit or decrease coal use.

fuel use by world region
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, International Energy Statistics

Regional fuel use varies according to the availability of resources. In 2016, coal accounted for almost 50 per cent of the energy consumed in Asia and Oceania, where China, India, and Australia are all significant consumers of coal.

The largest shares of nuclear and renewable energy were in Europe (26 per cent), North America (19 per cent), and Central and South America (26 per cent).

These regions, particularly Europe and North America, have significant renewable resources as well as policies that encourage renewable energy usage, especially wind and solar. Because of the region’s rich reserves of oil and natural gas, nearly all energy consumption in the Middle East comes from either petroleum or natural gas with virtually no contribution from coal, nuclear, or renewable energy.

energy consumption by country
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, International Energy Statistics

From 2000 to 2013, China experienced rapid growth in energy consumption, overtaking the United States as the world’s largest energy consumer in 2009. Since 2013, China has consistently used approximately 40 per cent more energy than the United States.

Although growth in China’s gross domestic product (GDP) has slowed over this time period, it continues to grow faster than 6 per cent per year compared with relatively flat total energy consumption, demonstrating the country’s improvements in energy intensity (GDP per unit energy).

By comparison, India’s GDP is growing at a rate of almost 8 per cent per year, and energy use is growing as well. In recent years, India has surpassed Japan, Canada, and Germany in energy consumed. As more recent data become available, India is likely to surpass Russia as the third-highest energy consuming country.

Detailed country-level data on energy production, consumption, and transport through 2016 are available in EIA’s International Energy Statistics database.

Natural gas data, petroleum supply data, GDP, and population are available through 2017. EIA Country Analysis Briefs supplement the International Energy Statistics database with key information on energy production and consumption trends.

 

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