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China Key Figures

Population:
1412 million
GDP growth rate:
5.24 %/year
Energy independence:
78.6%

Data of the last year available: 2023

Total consumption/GDP:*
61.3 (2005=100)
CO2 Emissions:
8.43 tCO2/capita
Rate of T&D power losses:
4.12%

* at purchasing power parity

View all macro and energy indicators in the China energy report

China Energy Research

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China Total Energy Consumption

Total energy consumption per capita is increasing regularly, reaching 2.9 toe/cap in 2023 (nearly 4 times that for India). Electricity consumption per capita increased by nearly 7% to 5 944 kWh in 2023, more than 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

China Crude Oil Production

Oil production has been increasing since 2019 (+1.8%/year), reaching 209 Mt in 2023. It declined by 3%/year between 2015 and 2018, after increasing by 2%/year between 2000 and 2015. 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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China Oil Products Consumption

The consumption of oil products increased by 8% in 2023 to 677 Mt. Previously, it increased rapidly between 2010 and 2021 (+4%/year on average) but dropped by 5% in 2022.

In 2023, the share of the transport sector increased to 50%; the second largest energy consuming sector is industry (including non-energy uses) with around 33%.

Graph: OIL CONSUMPTION (Mt)

Graph: OIL CONSUMPTION BREAKDOWN BY SECTOR (2023, %)

Interactive Chart China Refined Oil Products Production

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China Natural Gas Consumption

Natural gas consumption rose by 7% in 2023 to 436 bcm, after decreasing slightly in 2022. In 2021, it grew by 12%, which was in line with the 2010-2019 trend. Despite the effects of the pandemic, gas consumption grew by 6% in 2020.

Industry represented 40% of gas demand in 2023, followed by the residential and services sector (18%), the power sector (18%), and transport (9%).

Graph: NATURAL GAS CONSUMPTION (bcm)

Interactive Chart China Natural Gas Domestic Consumption

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China Coal Consumption

Coal and lignite consumption has been growing rapidly since 2021 (7%/year), reaching nearly 5 Gt in 2023, after moderate growth between 2017 and 2020 (1%/year) and a decrease from 2014 to 2016 (-1.9%/year). It increased very rapidly between 2000 and 2013 (+9%/year).

The power sector is the largest user of coal and lignite, with 62% in 2023, followed by industry (15%). The share of the power sector has been increasing continually (+13 points since 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

China Power Consumption

Electricity consumption rose by 7% in 2023 to 8 392 TWh, back to its growth over 2010-2021, after a 4% increase in 2022 and a 10% jump in 2021.

Industry is the main consumer (58% in 2023), followed by residential and services (17% and 16%, respectively).

Graph: ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION (TWh)

Graph: ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION BREAKDOWN BY SECTOR (2023,%)

China 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 (11% in 2023). 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 (15% reached in 2023).

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

China CO2 Fuel Combustion/CO2 Emissions

In its updated NDC (2021), China 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.