China Key Figures
- Population:
- 1416 million
- GDP growth rate:
- 7.80 %/year
- Energy independence:
- 80.7%
Data of the last year available: 2021
- Total consumption/GDP:*
- 57.5 (2005=100)
- CO2 Emissions:
- 7.34 tCO2/capita
- Rate of T&D power losses:
- 4.81%
* at purchasing power parity
View all macro and energy indicators in the China energy report
China Related News
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China Related Research
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Total Energy Consumption
Total energy consumption per capita is increasing regularly, reaching 2.6 toe/cap in 2021 (nearly 4 times that for India). Electricity consumption per capita increased by over 9% to 5 500 kWh in 2021, twice the 2010 levels.
Graph: CONSUMPTION TRENDS BY ENERGY SOURCE (Mtoe)
Interactive Chart China Total Energy Consumption
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View the detailed fondamentals of the market at country level (graphs, tables, analysis) in the China energy report
Crude Oil Production
Oil production has been increasing since 2018 (+2%/year), reaching 208 Mt in 2021. It increased by an average of 2%/year between 2000 and 2015 but declined by 3.2%/year between 2015 and 2018. 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.
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Oil Products Consumption
The consumption of oil products is increasing rapidly (+4%/year on average since 2010) reaching 693 Mt in 2021 (+6.6% in 2021).
In 2021, the share of the transport sector returned to its pre-pandemic level (44% in 2021 vs. 42% in 2020); the second largest energy consuming sector is industry (including non-energy uses) with around 34%.
Graph: OIL CONSUMPTION (Mt)
Graph: OIL CONSUMPTION BREAKDOWN BY SECTOR (2021, %)
Interactive Chart China Refined Oil Products Production
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Natural Gas Consumption
Natural gas consumption grew by more than 12% in 2021 to 362 bcm, i.e. in line with its 2010-2019 trend. Despite the effects of the pandemic, gas consumption grew by 6% in 2020.
Industry represents 41% of gas demand, followed by the residential and services sector (22%), the power sector (18%), and transport (9%).
Graph: NATURAL GAS CONSUMPTION (bcm)
Graph: GAS CONSUMPTION BREAKDOWN BY SECTOR (2021, %)
Interactive Chart China Natural Gas Domestic Consumption
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Coal Consumption
After moderate growth between 2017 and 2019 (+0.9%/year) and a 1.3% hike in 2020, coal and lignite consumption recovered noticeably in 2021 (+4.6%), reaching 4.1 Gt. Coal consumption had increased very rapidly between 2000 and 2013 (+9%/year) and then decreased between 2014 and 2016 (-1.9%/year).
The power sector is the largest user of coal and lignite, with 65%, followed by industry (26%). The share of the power sector has been increasing continually (45% in 2000 and 49% in 2010).
Graph: COAL CONSUMPTION (Mt)
Interactive Chart China Coal and Lignite Domestic Consumption
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View the detailed consumption trends at country level (graphs, tables, analysis) in the China energy report
Power Consumption
Electricity consumption rose by 10% in 2021 to 7 826 TWh after slower growth in 2020 (+4%). Previously, it had increased by 7%/year over 2010-2019.
Industry is the main consumer (57% in 2021), followed by services and residential (19% and 16%, respectively).
Graph: ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION (TWh)
Graph: ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION BREAKDOWN BY SECTOR (2021,%)
Renewable in % Electricity Production
With the 14th 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). In 2018, the NDRC also set a target of a 9% share of non-hydro renewables in electricity consumption for 2020 and 35% in 2030 (11% reached in 2020 and 13% in 2021).
Interactive Chart China Share of Renewables in Electricity Production (incl hydro)
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Learn more about renewables in the Mini grid Africa & Asia markets for village electrification
CO2 Fuel Combustion/CO2 Emissions
China ratified the Paris Climate Agreement in 2016. Its updated NDC (2021) set more ambitious targets for 2030: reaching a CO2 emission peak before 2030, lowering its CO2 intensity by over 65% (from 2005 levels), and eventually reaching carbon neutrality before 2060. It aims to cut the average coal consumption rate in power plants to 300g/kWh between 2020 and 2025.