Electricity generation in the world by source: coal, gas, RES 2025
Electricity powers modern economies, and its production methods significantly influence environmental sustainability and industrial growth. This article examines global electricity generation from coal, natural gas, and renewable energy sources (RES), alongside the cement industry's role in construction and its environmental footprint. Drawing from recent governmental data, the analysis provides a comprehensive overview of current trends, supported by numerical indicators and visualizations.
Electricity Production: A Global Overview
In 2023, global electricity production relied heavily on fossil fuels, with coal and natural gas dominating the energy mix, while renewables gained significant ground. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), coal accounted for approximately 35.5% of global electricity generation, natural gas contributed 23%, and renewables, including solar, wind, hydro, and biomass, made up 29.3%. The transition to cleaner energy sources is accelerating, driven by technological advancements and policy incentives, but fossil fuels remain critical, particularly in developing economies.
Coal: The Dominant but Declining Source
Coal has long been the backbone of global electricity production, especially in Asia. In 2023, coal-fired power plants generated 35.5% of the world’s electricity, with China, India, and the United States as the largest consumers. China alone accounted for 53.3% of global coal-based electricity, driven by its industrial demand and energy security policies. However, coal’s share is declining in many regions. In the United States, coal generation dropped to one-third of its 2007 peak by 2023, replaced by cheaper natural gas and renewables.
The environmental impact of coal is substantial, as it is the largest source of CO2 emissions in the power sector. In 2022, coal plants emitted approximately 13.2 gigatonnes of CO2 globally. The IEA’s Net Zero Emissions (NZE) scenario calls for a 55% reduction in unabated coal generation by 2030, requiring a shift to carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies and renewables.
Natural Gas: A Flexible Transition Fuel
Natural gas contributed 23% to global electricity production in 2023, valued for its flexibility and lower emissions compared to coal. In the United States, natural gas generation has doubled since 2007, driven by low prices and the shale gas boom. Globally, natural gas consumption is projected to grow by 40% by 2050, particularly in industrial applications and electricity generation.
While natural gas emits about half the CO2 of coal per unit of electricity, methane leaks during extraction and transport pose environmental challenges. Policies promoting methane capture and grid integration of renewables are critical to maximizing its role as a transition fuel.
Renewable Energy: The Fastest-Growing Sector
Renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, hydro, and biomass, are the fastest-growing electricity sources globally. In 2023, renewables accounted for 29.3% of electricity production, with solar and wind leading new capacity additions. The IEA projects that renewables will surpass coal as the primary power source by 2025, reaching 35% of the global mix. China leads in renewable deployment, contributing nearly half of global wind and solar additions in 2024.
Hydropower remains the largest renewable source, contributing 14.9% to global electricity in 2023, followed by solar (12%) and wind (11%). The rapid decline in solar and wind costs—down 80% and 60% respectively since 2010—has made them competitive with fossil fuels. However, challenges such as grid integration and intermittency require investments in energy storage and transmission infrastructure.
Electricity Production Data: A Comparative View
The table below summarizes global electricity production by source in 2023, highlighting the share of coal, gas, and renewables.
| Energy Source | Share of Global Electricity (%) | Generation (TWh) | CO2 Emissions (Gt) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coal | 35.5 | 10,650 | 9.5 |
| Natural Gas | 23.0 | 6,900 | 3.0 |
| Renewables | 29.3 | 8,790 | 0.1 |
Visualization: Global Electricity Mix in 2023
Cement Production: A Pillar of Construction
Cement is the foundation of modern construction, underpinning infrastructure projects worldwide. Global cement production reached 4.1 billion tonnes in 2023, with China producing over 50% of the total, followed by India and the European Union. The industry is energy-intensive, consuming 100 kWh of electricity per tonne of cement and relying heavily on fossil fuels, particularly coal, for thermal energy.
Environmental Impact of Cement Production
The cement industry accounts for approximately 5% of global CO2 emissions, with 40% from fossil fuel combustion in kilns and 50% from the calcination of limestone. In 2022, the sector’s electricity intensity was 100 kWh/t cement, and thermal energy intensity was 3.6 GJ/t clinker. Innovations such as electric kilns and CCUS could reduce emissions by 50% by 2050, but widespread adoption remains limited.
Cement’s Role in the Construction Industry
Cement is indispensable for concrete, used in buildings, roads, and bridges. The global construction industry, valued at $10.7 trillion in 2023, relies on cement for its durability and versatility. Demand is projected to grow by 2.5% annually, reaching 5.2 billion tonnes by 2050, driven by urbanization in Asia and Africa. However, rising production costs and environmental regulations are pushing the industry toward sustainable alternatives like green cement and recycled materials.
Cement Production Data: Key Metrics
The table below outlines global cement production and its environmental impact in 2023.
| Region | Production (Mt) | CO2 Emissions (Mt) | Electricity Intensity (kWh/t) |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | 2,100 | 1,200 | 100 |
| India | 400 | 240 | 95 |
| EU | 180 | 100 | 90 |
Interconnection: Energy and Construction
The electricity and cement sectors are intertwined. Coal, a primary fuel for cement kilns, links cement production to the power sector’s emissions profile. As renewables grow, electrifying cement production with clean energy could reduce its carbon footprint. Additionally, construction projects for renewable energy infrastructure, such as wind farms and solar plants, rely on cement, creating a feedback loop between the two industries.
Future Trends and Policy Implications
The global energy transition is reshaping electricity and cement production. Governments are implementing policies to phase out unabated coal, promote renewable energy, and incentivize low-carbon cement technologies. The IEA’s NZE scenario envisions renewables dominating electricity by 2030, with cement emissions halved through efficiency and innovation. Investments in grid modernization, energy storage, and sustainable construction materials are critical to achieving these goals.
Sources
- Coal - IEA
https://www.iea.org/reports/coal-2024
Provides data on global coal use in electricity generation and its environmental impact. - Cement - IEA
https://www.iea.org/reports/cement
Details cement production, energy intensity, and CO2 emissions. - U.S. Energy Information Administration - EIA
https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained
Offers comprehensive U.S. energy production and consumption statistics. - Electricity production from oil, gas and coal sources | World Bank
https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EG.ELC.FOSL.ZS
Provides global data on fossil fuel-based electricity production.
