Otis Singleton
The largest source of electricity globally is fossil fuels, predominantly coal and natural gas. In 2023, coal accounted for roughly 35-36% of the global energy mix, while natural gas contributed around 23%. However, the share of renewables in global electricity has been increasing rapidly, with solar power being the largest source of new electricity generation for the last three years. Despite this, unabated fossil fuels still account for over 60% of total global electricity generation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Largest source of electricity globally | Fossil fuels |
| Largest source of electricity by country | China, followed by the United States and India |
| Largest source of electricity by fuel type | Coal and natural gas |
| Share of electricity from coal | 35.5% |
| Share of electricity from natural gas | 23% |
| Share of electricity from renewables | Nearly 30% |
| Largest source of renewable electricity | Hydropower |
| Share of electricity from nuclear power | 10% globally, 19% in the US |
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuels are the largest source of electricity
Fossil fuels are a combination of coal, oil, and gas. While oil only accounts for a small share of electricity production, coal and gas are the dominant sources. Coal-fired electricity generation increased by nearly 2% in 2022, continuing a record-breaking streak. Coal accounted for more than 10,000 TWh of electricity, or about 35-36% of total generation. Gas is the second-largest source of electricity production, with a 23% share.
Fossil fuels are the largest source of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. As a result, there is a growing transition towards low-carbon sources such as renewables and nuclear energy. While renewables have seen a significant increase in recent years, fossil fuels still account for over 60% of total global electricity generation. Hydropower is currently the largest source of renewable electricity, followed by wind and solar power.
Nuclear power is another important low-emission source of electricity, providing about 10% of global electricity. In some countries, such as France, nuclear power is the largest source of electricity. While efforts to address climate change are driving a rapid increase in renewable energy sources, the majority of global electricity is still generated from fossil fuels. However, projections indicate that renewables will surpass fossil fuels as the main power source by 2040.
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Coal is the largest contributor to fossil fuel generation
Fossil fuels remain the greatest source of electricity generation worldwide. In 2023, coal accounted for roughly 35.5 percent of the global power mix, with China, India, and the United States being the largest consumers. In comparison, natural gas accounted for 23 percent. Although the transition from coal to gas is positive from a climate perspective, gas still emits CO2. Therefore, the ultimate goal is to shift to low-carbon sources such as nuclear energy and renewables.
The high consumption of coal for electricity generation has significant environmental implications. Power generation is the largest source of CO2 emissions globally, and unabated fossil fuels still account for over 60% of total global electricity generation. The transition to net-zero emissions is being led by the rapid deployment of renewables, such as solar and wind power. However, the current global energy crisis has brought electricity security and affordability to the forefront of political agendas, potentially influencing the pace of the transition away from fossil fuels.
Despite the environmental concerns associated with coal, it remains an essential energy source for many countries. The challenge of convincing nations with abundant reserves of cheap coal to shift away from its use has been significant. Moreover, the transition to renewables faces economic challenges, as the cost of renewable energy equipment and technology can be high. Nevertheless, efforts to address global warming have led to a decrease in the levelized costs of renewables, making them more accessible.
In summary, coal is the largest contributor to fossil fuel generation for electricity production. While there are efforts to transition to low-carbon sources and renewables, coal continues to play a dominant role in global energy mixes, particularly in China, India, and the United States. The environmental impact of coal and the push for net-zero emissions will likely shape the future of energy production and consumption.
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Gas is the second-largest source of electricity
Fossil fuels are the greatest source of electricity generation worldwide. In 2023, coal was the main source, accounting for roughly 35.5% of the global energy mix, with natural gas as the second-largest source at 23%. China, India, and the United States are the largest consumers of coal for electricity generation. Gas is quickly becoming a more popular energy source as countries transition away from coal. This shift is positive from a climate perspective, as gas emits less CO2 per unit of energy. However, the goal is to eventually shift from gas to low-carbon sources such as nuclear energy and renewables, including hydropower, solar, and wind.
Hydropower currently generates more electricity than all other renewable technologies and is expected to remain the largest source of renewable electricity into the 2030s. Wind is the leading non-hydro renewable technology, with solar PV electricity generation also achieving record increases in recent years. While fossil fuels still account for over 60% of total global electricity generation, the share of renewables in global electricity has seen more pronounced year-on-year growth due to increased efforts to combat climate change and the decreasing costs of renewable technologies.
In the United States specifically, natural gas was the top source of utility-scale electricity generation in 2023, at about 43%. Coal, on the other hand, was the fourth-highest energy source, accounting for only about 16% of U.S. electricity generation. The shift away from coal is evident in the U.S., with natural gas taking the lead as the second-largest source of electricity globally.
While gas is a step in the right direction compared to coal, it is still a fossil fuel that contributes to global carbon dioxide emissions. As such, the long-term goal is to transition to low-carbon and renewable energy sources. Nuclear power, for example, has played a key role in low-carbon electricity production for decades, with countries like France obtaining around three-quarters of their electricity from nuclear energy.
In summary, gas is currently the second-largest source of electricity production globally, but efforts to address climate change and the decreasing costs of renewable technologies are driving a shift towards low-carbon and renewable energy sources.
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Nuclear power is a low-carbon electricity source
Coal is the largest source of electricity production globally, followed by gas. However, nuclear power is a significant contributor to electricity generation, providing about 10% of the world's electricity in 2018. It is a low-carbon source of electricity, and in some countries, it is the largest source of energy. For instance, France sources about three-quarters of its electricity from nuclear power.
Nuclear energy is often overlooked in the "clean energy" conversation, despite being the second-largest source of low-carbon electricity in the world, after hydropower. It generates power through fission, which involves splitting uranium atoms to produce energy. The heat released by fission creates steam that spins a turbine to generate electricity without the harmful byproducts emitted by fossil fuels. Nuclear energy does not produce air pollution or carbon dioxide while operating, making it a zero-emission energy source.
Nuclear power plants require significantly less land area to produce the same amount of electricity as other clean-air sources. For instance, a typical 1,000-megawatt nuclear facility in the United States needs just over 1 square mile to operate, while wind farms require 360 times more land, and solar photovoltaic plants require 75 times more space. Nuclear fuel is also extremely dense, and the amount of used nuclear fuel is relatively small compared to other energy sources.
Despite the benefits of nuclear power, there are environmental concerns related to the creation of radioactive wastes, such as uranium mill tailings and spent reactor fuel, which can remain dangerous to human health for thousands of years. Additionally, the processes for mining and refining uranium ore and manufacturing reactor fuel require substantial energy, which may come from fossil fuels, thereby associating nuclear power with carbon emissions.
Nevertheless, nuclear power has played a key role in low-carbon electricity production for decades and will continue to be an important part of the transition to clean energy, along with renewable sources like wind and solar power.
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Hydropower is the largest renewable electricity source
As of 2023, hydropower is the world's largest source of renewable energy, generating more electricity than all other renewable technologies combined. Hydropower is expected to remain the largest source of renewable electricity generation until the 2030s. In 2022, hydropower output increased by 70 TWh, although drought conditions affected production in several regions, including China, Europe, and the United States.
Hydropower uses the natural flow of moving water to generate electricity and has been recognized and harnessed for thousands of years. It is fuelled by water and produces near-zero emissions, making it a clean and renewable energy source. Water is not consumed in the process but is constantly returned in the form of precipitation. Hydropower facilities can vary in size, ranging from large dams to smaller diversions or run-of-river facilities that channel part of a stream through a powerhouse.
One of the main advantages of hydropower is its ability to provide a stable and predictable source of electricity. Unlike solar and wind power, which can be intermittent, water flows are consistent, making hydropower a valuable source of baseload power. It can also serve as a flexible and reliable form of backup power during major electricity outages or disruptions. Additionally, hydropower has relatively low costs throughout the duration of a project, including maintenance, operations, and fuel.
Hydropower also provides benefits beyond electricity generation. It can aid in flood control, irrigation support, water supply, and wastewater control. However, there are also challenges associated with hydropower, such as the environmental impact of dams and reservoirs on river ecosystems and the potential for reservoirs to emit carbon dioxide and methane. Climate-driven droughts can also affect hydropower production, as seen in the American West, where reservoirs have reached low levels, reducing electricity-generating capacity.
Despite being the largest renewable source of electricity, hydropower faces competition from wind and solar power, which are growing rapidly. However, hydropower is expected to remain an integral part of the renewable energy industry and play a significant role in a future with 100% renewable energy.
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Frequently asked questions
Fossil fuels are the largest source of electricity in the world, with coal and natural gas being the most used.
In 2023, about 60% of electricity worldwide came from fossil fuels, with coal accounting for 35.5% and natural gas for 23%.
Hydropower is currently the largest source of renewable electricity, with wind and solar PV also playing an increasingly important role.
Nuclear power is an important low-carbon source of electricity, providing about 10% of global electricity.
