Trystan Casey
As of 2023, the biggest source of electricity globally is fossil fuels, with coal being the largest contributor, accounting for roughly 35.5% of the global energy mix. Natural gas is the second-largest source, contributing about 23%. Together, coal and gas contribute to more than double the share of nuclear and renewable energy sources. However, the share of renewables in global electricity has been increasing year-on-year, with a massive increase in power demand and the need to generate electricity from renewable sources due to efforts to address climate change.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Largest source of electricity worldwide | Coal |
| Second-largest source of electricity worldwide | Gas |
| Largest source of renewable electricity worldwide | Hydropower |
| Largest source of electricity in the US | Fossil fuels |
| Percentage of electricity in the US generated from fossil fuels | 60% |
| Percentage of electricity in the US generated from nuclear energy | 19% |
| Percentage of electricity in the US generated from renewable energy sources | 21% |
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuels: coal, gas, and oil
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, have been the primary energy source for over 150 years. They are formed from the carbon-rich remains of plants and animals that decomposed and were compressed and heated underground over millions of years. Fossil fuels currently supply about 80% of the world's energy and are the largest source of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
Coal is the largest source of electricity globally, and natural gas is the second-largest source. In 2023, coal was the fourth-highest energy source for US electricity generation, at about 16%, while natural gas was the top source at about 43%. Oil, on the other hand, accounts for only a small share of electricity production globally and in the US, where it supplied about 0.4% of electricity generation in 2023.
The use of fossil fuels has a significant impact on the environment. When fossil fuels are burned, carbon and other greenhouse gases, such as methane, are released into the atmosphere. The excess buildup of these gases has led to dramatic changes in Earth's climate, and the trend is expected to worsen as more fossil fuels are burned. For example, natural gas was responsible for 36% of greenhouse gas emissions in the US in 2020. Similarly, coal has been associated with high CO2 emissions, but as its usage has declined in the US, carbon dioxide emissions from coal decreased by 50% from 2007 to 2019.
While transitioning away from fossil fuels is necessary, there are technologies available to mitigate their environmental impact. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a process where carbon emitted by the fossil fuel sector is collected and injected back into the earth. In 2020, 26 commercial CCS plants worldwide captured 40 million tons of carbon, equivalent to 0.11% of total yearly global emissions.
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Nuclear energy
Nuclear power has been a reliable source of energy in the United States for six decades, providing constant, carbon-free power to millions. It has the highest capacity factor of any energy source, with nuclear power plants operating at maximum power more than 92% of the time, significantly more reliable than natural gas, coal, wind, or solar plants. This is because nuclear power plants require less maintenance and are designed to operate for longer stretches before refuelling, typically every 1.5 to 2 years.
While nuclear energy has seen a slight decline in recent years, it remains a crucial part of the energy mix in many countries. France, for example, sources around 70% of its electricity from nuclear power, while Ukraine, Slovakia, and Hungary get about half. Nuclear energy's low-carbon nature makes it an essential component in the transition away from fossil fuels and in meeting climate change goals.
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Renewable energy: solar, wind, hydropower
Solar, wind, and hydropower are renewable energy sources that can be used to generate electricity. Renewable energy sources are those that are produced faster than they are used, making them more sustainable and environmentally friendly than non-renewable sources. In 2020, 80% of the world's energy consumption was from fossil fuels, but renewable energy sources are increasingly permeating energy systems.
Solar energy comes from sunlight, which is collected through the use of solar panels. Solar panels can be seen on the roofs of newer buildings, and small-scale solar power has been used in devices such as calculators. Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology is one of the fastest-growing renewable energy sources, with a 70% increase in 2023. In 2029, solar PV is expected to surpass hydropower as the largest renewable power source globally.
Wind power tends to be better at nighttime and is often paired with solar power to account for less sunny seasons. Wind generation is also growing quickly, and by 2030, it is expected to surpass hydropower as the second-largest renewable power source.
Hydropower, or hydroelectric power, is the energy generated by the flow and movement of bodies of water like lakes and waterfalls. Turbines are pushed by the water, converting the flowing water's kinetic or gravitational energy into electric power. Hydropower is considered a clean and sustainable source of energy, but it does require the presence of a body of water, making it more suitable for some places than others.
These renewable energy sources are critical to clean energy transitions and can help to reduce the average global temperature rise. While there are limitations to these sources, pairing certain forms together can help to slowly transition to an era of clean energy.
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Carbon intensity and emissions
The majority of global electricity is generated from fossil fuels, predominantly coal and gas. Fossil fuels are the largest source of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Carbon intensity measures the amount of CO2 produced per unit of electricity and is calculated as grams of CO2 produced per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Countries with a large share of their electricity from low-carbon sources (renewables and nuclear) will have lower carbon intensity.
In 2023, utility-scale electric power plants that burned coal, natural gas, or petroleum were the source of about 60% of total annual US utility-scale electricity net generation, but they accounted for 99% of the associated CO2 emissions. The other 1% of CO2 emissions were from other fuels and gases derived from fossil fuels and some types of geothermal power plants. The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) considers electricity generation from biomass, hydro, solar, and wind to be carbon neutral.
In Europe, the electricity sector was 59% less GHG intensive in 2023 than in 1990 and 20% less than in 2022. This decrease has been due to the transition from fossil fuels to renewable electricity sources. The carbon intensity of electricity production differs significantly between EU member states. Sweden, Finland, and Luxembourg have the lowest GHG intensities because of their high share of low-carbon electricity sources.
Some countries get over 90% of their electricity from nuclear or renewable sources, including Sweden, Norway, France, Paraguay, Iceland, and Nepal. Nearly all these countries rely heavily on hydropower and/or nuclear energy.
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Electricity generation technologies
The three major categories of energy for electricity generation are fossil fuels, nuclear energy, and renewable energy. Fossil fuels are the largest source of electricity production globally, with coal being the largest contributor, followed by natural gas. China, India, and the United States are the largest consumers of coal for electricity generation. In 2023, coal accounted for roughly 35.5 percent of the global energy mix, while natural gas contributed around 23 percent. However, the use of coal in the UK has declined significantly, from over half in the late 1980s to just a few percent today.
Nuclear energy is an important low-emission source of electricity, providing about 10% of global electricity. Countries like Sweden, Norway, France, Paraguay, Iceland, and Nepal derive most of their electricity from nuclear and renewable sources, particularly hydropower. Hydropower is currently the world's largest source of renewable electricity and is expected to remain so into the 2030s.
Renewable energy sources are gaining prominence due to their low carbon intensity and the decreasing costs of technology. Solar, wind, and hydropower are experiencing rapid growth, with wind and solar PV production increasing by nearly 270 TWh in 2022. Prices for renewables have dropped significantly, making them more accessible. The transition to net-zero emissions and the need to address climate change are driving the electrification of various sectors, increasing the demand for renewable sources of electricity.
Various electricity generation technologies are employed depending on the energy source. Steam turbines are commonly used with fossil fuels, nuclear, biomass, geothermal, or solar thermal energy. Gas turbines, hydro (water) turbines, wind turbines, and solar photovoltaics are also significant electricity generation methods. Biomass can be burned directly in steam-electric power plants or converted into gas for use in steam generators, gas turbines, or internal combustion engines. Geothermal power plants, which contribute a small percentage of electricity, use steam turbines to generate electricity.
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Frequently asked questions
Coal is the largest source of electricity globally, with fossil fuels being the greatest source of electricity generation.
Fossil fuels are fuels made from the remains of dead plants and animals that existed millions of years ago. Coal, natural gas, and petroleum are examples of fossil fuels.
Some alternative sources of electricity include nuclear energy and renewable energy. Renewable energy can be further broken down into hydropower, solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, and more.
Natural gas was the top source of U.S. utility-scale electricity generation in 2023, at about 43%.
Over a third of the world's electricity comes from low-carbon sources, with renewables making up a larger portion than nuclear energy.
