China Energy Information

Total Energy Consumption

Total energy consumption per capita was around 2.4 toe/cap in 2019 (3.5 times India's level).

Graph: CONSUMPTION TRENDS BY ENERGY SOURCE (Mtoe)

Total energy consumption has been growing slightly faster since 2017 (2.5%/year compared to 2%/year over 2012-2019). This is much lower than historical levels (7%/year between 2000 and 2012).

Interactive Chart China Total Energy Consumption

Crude Oil Production

China is a major oil producer, with about 198 Mt in 2019 (5^th largest worldwide). 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 (+1%).

Most of the production is onshore (90%) and located in the fields close to the north-eastern coast (Daqing and Shenghi). Offshore production is in full development, with the basin of Bohai (where CNOOC, PetroChina, Kerr-McGee, ConocoPhillips, Chevron Texaco and Shell operate) being one of the most active areas.

Interactive Chart China Crude Oil Production

Oil Products Consumption

The consumption of oil products increased rapidly (4.7%/year) between 2000 and 2019.

The transport sector accounts for nearly half of oil product consumption, followed by industry with around 30% in 2019 (including non-energy uses).

Graph: OIL CONSUMPTION (Mt)

Graph: OIL CONSUMPTION BREAKDOWN BY SECTOR (2019, %)

Interactive Chart China Refined Oil Products Production

Natural Gas Consumption

Natural gas consumption has accelerated strongly since 2009 (+12%/year over 2009-2019).

Industry represents one-third of this consumption. The share of the power sector is still low (22%), but is increasing (+15 points since 2005).

Graph: NATURAL GAS CONSUMPTION (bcm)

Graph: GAS CONSUMPTION BREAKDOWN BY SECTOR (2019, %)

Interactive Chart China Natural Gas Domestic Consumption

Coal Consumption

Coal and lignite consumption has been progressing slowly since 2016 (0.5%/year), reaching 3.8 Gt in 2019. It had increased very rapidly between 2000 and 2013 (8.3%/year) and then decreased between 2013 and 2016 (-2%/year).

The power and industry sectors represent 91% of coal and lignite consumption, with 61% and 30%, respectively. The share of the power sector has been continually increasing (45% in 2000).

Graph: COAL CONSUMPTION (Mt)

Interactive Chart China Coal and Lignite Domestic Consumption

Power Consumption

Electricity consumption has increased strongly since 2002, by nearly 10%/year (6%/year since 2010).

Industry is the main consumer (59% in 2019), followed by services and residential (17% and 16%, respectively).

Graph: ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION (TWh)

Graph: ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION BREAKDOWN BY SECTOR (2019,%)

Renewable in % Electricity Production

The country targets a share of 15% of renewables in the total primary energy consumption in 2020 and 20% in 2030 ("Guiding Opinions on Establishing Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards", NEA, 2016) (9% reached in 2019).

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

CO₂ Fuel Combustion/CO₂ Emissions

China ratified the Paris Climate Agreement in 2016. China's NDC set the objective of achieving a peak CO₂ reduction around 2030, or earlier if possible; lowering CO₂ per unit of GDP by 60% to 65% from 2005 levels; increasing the share of non-fossil fuels in primary energy consumption to around 20%; and increasing the forest stock volume by around 4.5 bcm above the 2005 level. The Chinese government has committed to honouring its pledges under the Paris agreement despite the coronavirus epidemic. In its updated NDC, the country is forecasts reaching carbon neutrality before 2060.