Tag: Coal

Historically, fossil fuels have dominated global energy production, but a major shift is underway towards clean energy sources. Today, fossil fuels still make up the majority of overall primary energy, though clean power is rapidly overtaking fossil fuels in global *electricity* generation.

Despite a massive global push towards renewable technology, fossil fuels still account for over 80% of the world's primary energy supply. This makes them, collectively, what is our number one source of energy for powering human society today, though the ultimate source is the sun.

In 2023, fossil fuels accounted for approximately 77% of the world's primary energy consumption, solidifying their position as the main source of fuel used for energy despite accelerated growth in renewable alternatives. This reality reflects a global energy system still heavily reliant on non-renewable resources, even amid an intensifying push toward sustainability.

Globally, approximately 80% of the primary energy consumed still originates from fossil fuels, despite rapid growth in renewables. Understanding **where does most of our energy come from** requires distinguishing between primary energy and electricity generation sources.

For decades, fossil fuels have been the dominant force powering the world's energy needs, historically accounting for the largest share of global energy output. While this remains true for total primary energy, the electricity sector is experiencing an unprecedented shift towards renewables.

Oil has historically been the dominant energy source, consistently accounting for the highest percentage of global primary energy consumption. Despite growing momentum in renewables, fossil fuels—including oil—continue to meet the majority of the world's energy demands due to their long-established infrastructure and wide range of applications.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, nuclear power plants use uranium to produce approximately 20% of all electricity in the United States. This highlights why uranium is the mineral known as an energy mineral, distinguished by its use in nuclear fission to generate heat and electricity.