World Energy Council assesses global trends 2024

17.06.2025

Source: E & M powernews

The World Energy Council Germany has analyzed global energy and emissions trends from 2024. According to the report, the global economy has recovered from Covid and is growing.

On June 16, the Berlin-based World Energy Council Germany presented "Energy in Transition - Global Trends and Perspectives". The analysis focuses on developments in the global energy system in 2024, presented by the French energy consultancy Enerdata. Among other things, the experts shed light on the energy consumption of the G20 countries, CO2 emissions and the expansion of renewable energies.

According to Enerdata, energy consumption in the G20 countries increased by two percent in 2024 - faster than the average for the years 2010 to 2019 (+1 percent per year). Primary energy consumption rose by four percent in China and five percent in India, while remaining stable overall in the EU. In Germany, it fell by one percent, while in France it rose by two percent. According to Enerdata, the main drivers of the increase were China and India.

The G20 countries, which account for almost 80% of global energy consumption, recorded economic growth of 3% in 2024 - the historical average for the years 2010 to 2019. While growth slowed slightly in China, it remained dynamic in India and the USA. It accelerated slightly in Europe.

Greenhouse gas emissions fall slightly

Despite the expansion of renewable energies, the G20's energy-related CO2 emissions rose by around one percent, which is the average annual growth of the past decade. China and India were responsible for 52 percent of emissions. In China, rising gas consumption and growing demand for electricity led to a one percent increase in emissions. In India, the increase amounted to five percent - driven by continued coal-fired power generation, which still accounts for 70 percent of the electricity mix.

CO2 emissions stagnated in the EU member states (-0.3 percent). In Germany and France, they fell by around three percent each. The USA also recorded a drop of one percent, mainly due to falling coal use. Other countries such as Brazil, Canada, South Korea and Japan recorded significant declines in some cases. In Indonesia and South Africa, on the other hand, emissions rose as a result of increased coal use.

According to Enerdata, there were significant shifts in the area of electricity generation. Electricity consumption in the G20 grew by four percent in 2024 - well above the long-term trend of around 2.6 percent per year. The main reasons for this were economic growth, electrification and an increase in extreme weather events, according to the experts at Enerdata. Electricity consumption rose by seven percent in China and two percent in the USA. In the EU, it increased slightly by one percent following a decline in the previous year, while in Germany it remained stable.

Renewable energies are growing

The share of renewable energies in G20 electricity generation reached a total of 16% in 2024, driven by strong expansion in China. China accounted for 64% of global capacity additions, including two thirds of wind power and over 60% of solar capacity additions. Worldwide, 585,000 MW of renewable capacity was built, including 452,000 MW of solar energy and 113,000 MW of wind power.

According to Enerdata, global gas prices fell by around 15% in 2024, but remained well above pre-crisis levels in Europe and Asia. Oil prices fell slightly by 2.5%, but remained 28% above the 2019 level. Coal prices also remained at a higher level.

TheWorld Energy Council's report for 2024 is available to download as a PDF.

Author: Susanne Harmsen