IEA: World’s Generation Increased 230% Since 1973

Electricity generation around the world was 20,181 TWh in 2008 and has soared nearly 230% since 1973, according to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA’s) newly released Key World Energy Statistics. The 2010 edition of the booklet that addresses global energy facts and figures also shows that although the world’s coal/peat shares for power generation increased just 3% during that timeframe, nuclear and gas generation jumped about 10%, while oil generation plunged almost 20%.

The 83-page publication presents graphs and tables of global data for 130 countries. The publication from the 28-member state IEA shows data up to 2008 and, when available, up to 2009 for energy production, trade, and consumption.

According to the IEA, the 33 members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development produced 52.9% of the world’s power in 2008, though this figure dropped from 72.9% in 1973. One reason is that Asia, including China, substantially increased electricity production, increasing its share of the world’s generation from 5.4% in 1973 to 26.4% in 2008.

China led the world in coal/peat generation, producing 2,733 TWh in 2008, but it was followed closely by the U.S. (2,133 TWh); India came third, with 569 TWh. The U.S. led the world in gas generation in 2008, producing 911 TWh, almost twice as much as Russia, in second place, which generated 495 TWh.

The U.S. also led the world in nuclear power generation in 2008, producing 838 TWh—nearly 31% of the world’s total—and it was followed by France, with 439 TWh, or 16.1% of the world’s total.

Brazil, Italy, and the U.S. (in that order) were the world’s top net importers of electricity, while France, Paraguay, and China were the top net exporters.

The booklet, which also contains a survey of the world’s energy retail prices, shows that Danish citizens pay $0.366/kWh—the highest household electricity rates in the world. Residential rates are also high in Italy ($0.2842/kWh), Austria ($0.262/kWh), and Japan ($0.228/kWh). This compares to an average residential rate in the U.S. of $0.115/kWh.

Source: POWERnews, IEA