BP statistical review shows coal’s 2019 share of global energy mix at lowest level in 16 years.

The share of coal in the world energy mix fell to its lowest level in 16 years dropping to 27 per cent in 2019, according to the latest edition of BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2020.

“World coal consumption fell by 0.6 per cent, its fourth decline in six years, displaced by natural gas and renewables. As a result, coal’s share in the energy mix fell to 27 per cent, its lowest level in 16 years,” the report, released today, said.

According to the report, coal consumption continued to increase in some emerging economies, particularly in China, Indonesia and Vietnam. Growth in India, usually a key driver of coal consumption was only 0.3 per cent, the lowest since 2001, it said.

However, this increase in coal consumption came amid fall in demand in the developed world, led by the US and Germany. Global coal production rose by 1.5 per cent, with China and Indonesia providing the only significant increases, the report said.

Apart from this, global electricity generation also witnessed the slowest growth in the past 10 years in 2019 by registering a growth of mere 1.3 per cent.

18 June 2020

IEEFA