Global Primary Energy Supply: The Dominance of Fossil Fuels
When considering the world's total energy sources, including transportation, heating, and industrial uses, fossil fuels remain paramount. Data from the Energy Institute's 2024 Statistical Review shows fossil fuels made up about 81.5% of global primary energy consumption in 2023. This share has seen only a slight decrease from the previous year, underscoring the challenge in transitioning away from these traditional sources.
The primary fossil fuel sources include:
- Oil: The leading source of primary energy, largely used in transport. Consumption hit a record high in 2023.
- Coal: The second-largest source overall and the main fuel for global electricity generation. Coal consumption also reached an unprecedented level in 2023.
- Natural Gas: The third significant fossil fuel, widely used for power, industry, and heating.
The Global Electricity Mix: A Shifting Landscape
While primary energy relies heavily on fossil fuels, the electricity sector is transforming more quickly. Electricity, while a part of total energy use, is crucial for modern economies and its generation sources are changing. In 2024, clean energy sources (renewables and nuclear) collectively exceeded 40% of global electricity generation for the first time in decades. Fossil fuels provided about 59.1% of global electricity, while clean energy contributed 40.9%. Renewables accounted for over 30%, and nuclear was around 9.0%. Wind and solar are expanding rapidly.
Comparison of Global Energy Sources
The table below outlines the share of various energy sources in both the global primary energy supply (2023) and global electricity generation (2024), illustrating the energy transition occurring in the power sector.
| Energy Source | Share of Global Primary Energy (2023) | Share of Global Electricity Generation (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Coal | ~27% | ~34.4% |
| Oil | ~31% | <3% |
| Natural Gas | ~23% | ~22% |
| Hydro | ~6% | ~14.3% |
| Wind & Solar | ~3% | ~15.0% |
| Nuclear | ~4% | ~9.0% |
| Bioenergy/Others | ~6% | ~2.3% |
| Total Fossil | ~81.5% | ~59.1% |
| Total Low-Carbon | ~14.6% | ~40.9% |
Future Trends in Energy
The global energy landscape is in transition, driven by climate goals and technological advancements. The global energy landscape is in transition, driven by climate goals and technological advancements. Key trends include electrification and decarbonization of the power sector. Many experts believe power sector emissions may have peaked in 2023 or 2024. More detailed information can be found in the {Link: Global Electricity Review 2025 https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/global-electricity-review-2025/2024-in-review/}.
Conclusion
To summarize where does most of our energy come from, fossil fuels (oil, coal, and natural gas) remain the largest source for overall primary energy globally. However, the electricity sector shows a significant shift, with renewables and nuclear now providing over 40% of generation, marking progress in the global energy transition. The future is expected to show a continued rise in clean energy's share as capacity expands worldwide. For detailed statistics, the Energy Institute's annual review is a key source.
