China Energy Information

Total Energy Consumption

Total energy consumption per capita stabilized at 2.5 toe/cap in 2020 (3.5 times India's level).

Graph: CONSUMPTION TRENDS BY ENERGY SOURCE (MTOE)

In 2020, total energy consumption continued to increase despite the Covid-outbreak (2.2%, compared to 3.6%/year between 2017 and 2019). The rise in consumption had previously slowed down to 1.7%/year over 2012-2017. This, however, is much lower than historical levels (7%/year between 2000 and 2012).

Interactive Chart China Total Energy Consumption

Crude Oil Production

Oil production increased by an average of 2%/year between 2000 and 2015, but declined by 10% between 2015 and 2018. It slightly rebounded in 2019 and 2020, reaching 204 Mt in 2020 (6^th largest worldwide).

Most of the production is onshore and located in the fields close to the north-eastern coast. Offshore production is in full development, with the Bohai basin being one of the most active areas.

Interactive Chart China Crude Oil Production

Oil Products Consumption

The consumption of oil products is increasing rapidly (5%/year since 2010) reaching 672 Mt.

The share of the transport sector decreased strongly in 2020 to 38% (-5 points) due to the pandemic; the second largest energy consuming sector is industry (including non-energy uses) with around 37%.

Graph: OIL CONSUMPTION (Mt)

Graph: OIL CONSUMPTION BREAKDOWN BY SECTOR (2020, %)

Interactive Chart China Refined Oil Products Production

Natural Gas Consumption

Natural gas consumption increased by 13%/year over 2010-2020, reaching 324 bcm; despite the effects of the pandemic, consumption grew by 7% in 2020.

Industry represents 40%, followed by the residential sector (22%), the power sector (17%), and transport (10%).

Graph: NATURAL GAS CONSUMPTION (bcm)

Graph: GAS CONSUMPTION BREAKDOWN BY SECTOR (2020, %)

Interactive Chart China Natural Gas Domestic Consumption

Coal Consumption

Coal and lignite consumption has been progressing slowly since 2017 (1.1%/year), reaching 3.9 Gt in 2020. It had increased very rapidly between 2000 and 2013 (9%/year) and then decreased between 2014 and 2016 (-2%/year).

The power sector is the largest user of coal and lignite, with 63%, followed by industry (27%). The share of the power sector has been continually increasing (around 50% in 2010).

Graph: COAL CONSUMPTION (Mt)

Interactive Chart China Coal and Lignite Domestic Consumption

Power Consumption

Electricity consumption has been increasing rapidly (8%/year over 2010-2019), with slower growth in 2020 (3%) to 7 028 TWh.

Industry is the main consumer (57% in 2020), followed by services and residential (18% and 16%, respectively).

Graph: ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION (TWh)

Graph: ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION BREAKDOWN BY SECTOR (2020,%)

Renewable in % Electricity Production

With the 14^th FYP, the country intends to get 20% of its total energy consumption from non-fossil fuels in 2025 (16% in 2020).

The target of 15% of renewables in total energy consumption in 2020 was not reached (only 10%) ("Guiding Opinions on Establishing Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards", NEA, 2016). The country also set a target of a 9% share of non-hydro renewables in electricity consumption for 2020 and 35% in 2030 (NDRC, 2018).

Interactive Chart China Share of Renewables in Electricity Production (incl hydro)

CO₂ Fuel Combustion/CO₂ Emissions

China ratified the Paris Climate Agreement in 2016 and proposed a new version of the NDC in 2020 with more ambitious targets for 2030: achieving a peak CO₂ reduction, lowering CO₂ intensity by over 65% (from 2005 levels vs 60-65%), increasing the share of non-fossil fuels in primary consumption to 25% (vs 20%), and increasing the forest stock volume by around 6 bcm above the 2005 levels (vs 4.5 bcm).

In 2020, the government officially announced its goal to reach carbon neutrality before 2060; however, this commitment is still to be reflected in the country's updated NDC.