Katerina Swanson
Fossil fuels have been the main energy source for generating electricity over the past century. In 2017, fossil fuels generated 64.5% of worldwide electricity. Fossil fuel power plants burn coal, oil, or natural gas to create heat, which generates steam to drive turbines that produce electricity. Despite the growth of renewable energy sources, fossil fuels remain dominant worldwide, and their use for electricity generation continues to increase. As a result, greenhouse gas emissions must decrease significantly to mitigate climate change, and we must transition to cleaner energy sources.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main energy sources for electricity generation | Fossil fuels, hydroelectricity, nuclear energy |
| Percentage of worldwide electricity generated by fossil fuels in 2017 | 64.5% |
| Fossil fuel plants burn | Coal, oil, gas |
| Fossil fuel plants produce | Carbon dioxide, oxides of sulphur, nitrogen |
| Percentage of global electricity generation from coal in 2022 | Just over a third |
| Percentage of global electricity generation from gas in 2022 | 20% |
| Percentage of global electricity generation from nuclear power in 2020 | 10% |
| Percentage of U.S. utility-scale electricity generation from solar power in 2023 | 4% |
| Percentage of U.S. electricity generated from fossil fuels in 2023 | 60% |
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuels are the largest source of global CO2 emissions
Fossil fuels are the dominant source of energy for electricity generation, alongside hydroelectricity and nuclear energy. Fossil fuel power plants burn coal, oil, or gas to create heat, which generates steam to drive turbines that produce electricity. This process releases large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other pollutants, contributing significantly to global CO2 emissions and driving climate change.
In 2017, fossil fuels generated 64.5% of electricity worldwide, with a slight increase from 61.9% in 1990. Despite the growth of renewable energy sources, the demand for and use of fossil fuels continues to rise. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), emissions from fossil fuels are the dominant cause of global warming. In 2018, 89% of global CO2 emissions were attributed to fossil fuels and industry.
Coal, a fossil fuel, is considered the dirtiest and is responsible for over 0.3 degrees Celsius of the 1-degree increase in global average temperatures. Oil combustion releases approximately one-third of the world's total carbon emissions, while natural gas, another fossil fuel, contributes to one-fifth of global carbon emissions. The burning of fossil fuels for energy has severe consequences, with an estimated 670,000 premature deaths in China alone due to coal use.
To mitigate climate change, a transition to cleaner sources of energy is imperative. Nuclear power, for example, is an environmentally friendly alternative that does not produce greenhouse gases during electricity generation. Additionally, renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower are gaining traction and helping to reduce emissions. However, the pace of renewable energy adoption needs to accelerate to meet the urgent challenge of combating global warming and its impacts.
It is worth noting that electricity generation is just one aspect of fossil fuel consumption. Other sectors, such as industry, agriculture, transportation, and buildings, also contribute significantly to global CO2 emissions. Addressing emissions in these sectors requires a diverse range of solutions, including improving energy efficiency, transitioning to low-carbon energy sources, and implementing sustainable practices in agriculture and land use.
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Coal is the largest source of electricity globally
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and gas, are the dominant source of electricity worldwide. In 2017, fossil fuels generated 64.5% of electricity worldwide, with coal being the largest contributor, followed by gas.
Coal is a carbon-intensive fossil fuel that is burned in large quantities to generate electricity. Despite a transition towards renewable energy sources in some countries, coal remains crucial for electricity production in others. For instance, coal-fired power generation in China increased by around 2% compared to 2021 levels, and India's electricity demand was primarily met by coal-fired generation, leading to an over 8.5% increase in 2022. Europe also witnessed a nearly 7% rise in coal-fired generation. Overall, coal supplied just over a third of global electricity in 2022, pushing CO2 emissions from coal-fired power plants to record levels.
Several countries are actively transitioning away from coal due to its environmental impact. For example, the UK has significantly reduced its reliance on coal, with coal contributing just a couple of percent to its electricity mix, a substantial shift from the late 1980s when coal was the source of more than half of the country's electricity. France has also embraced nuclear power as its primary energy source, obtaining around three-quarters of its electricity from nuclear reactors.
To achieve global sustainability goals, a shift towards low-carbon energy sources is essential. Nuclear power, with its low greenhouse gas emissions, has played a significant role in this transition. In 2018, nuclear power generated 10.5% of the world's electricity, providing clean and reliable electricity for decades. Renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, hydropower, and biomass, are also growing in importance, with wind and solar energy expanding rapidly.
To summarize, while coal is currently the largest source of electricity globally, efforts to reduce its usage and transition to cleaner energy sources are underway. The shift towards renewable and nuclear energy is crucial to mitigate climate change and reduce air pollution caused by carbon-intensive fossil fuels like coal.
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Fossil fuel plants burn coal or oil to create heat
Fossil fuels are made from the remains of ancient plants and animals. Over millions of years, these remains were buried under pressure and heat, transforming into the fossil fuels we use today: coal, oil, and natural gas.
The burning of fossil fuels releases energy in the form of heat. Fossil fuel power plants burn coal or oil to create this heat, which is then used to generate steam. This steam drives turbines, which generate electricity. In 2017, fossil fuels generated 64.5% of electricity worldwide. Fossil fuel plants require very large quantities of coal, oil, or natural gas, and the price of these fuels can be volatile due to potential supply issues.
The burning of fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide, which remains in the atmosphere for decades to centuries. This intensifies the greenhouse effect, increasing the Earth's average air temperature and contributing to climate change. Fossil fuel plants also emit pollutants such as oxides of sulphur and nitrogen, which cause acid rain and reduce air quality.
Nuclear power plants, on the other hand, use the heat produced from splitting atoms to generate steam and drive turbines. This process does not produce greenhouse gases and is considered environmentally friendly, providing clean electricity for many months without interruption.
The use of electricity generated by fossil fuels is still more efficient than individual cars, even when accounting for losses on the wire during transmission. However, the production of electricity from fossil fuels contributes to air pollution and climate change, impacting human and environmental health.
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Fossil fuels generated 64.5% of worldwide electricity in 2017
Fossil fuels have been the primary energy source for electricity generation over the past century. In 2017, they generated 64.5% of worldwide electricity, a slight increase from 61.9% in 1990. This percentage equates to about 4.18 trillion kilowatthours (kWh) of electricity generated from fossil fuels in 2023.
Fossil fuel power plants burn coal, oil, or gas to create heat, which generates steam to drive turbines that produce electricity. Gas plants use hot gases to drive turbines, and combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plants also employ steam generators to increase electricity output. These plants are generally cheap to construct and can operate reliably for extended periods. However, they have significant drawbacks. Burning carbon-based fuels releases large amounts of carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change, and other pollutants like sulphur and nitrogen oxides, causing acid rain. The transportation of fuels over long distances can lead to supply issues, and fuel price volatility can result in unstable generation costs and higher consumer prices.
Despite the growth of renewable energy sources, fossil fuels remain dominant worldwide, and their use for electricity generation continues to rise. This trend is concerning given the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change. Nuclear energy, with its low greenhouse gas emissions and absence of air pollution, is an important alternative to fossil fuels. However, as of 2018, nuclear power generated only 10.5% of the world's electricity.
To achieve a sustainable world, all sectors must transition to low-carbon energy sources, and widespread electrification is key to decarbonisation. While some countries, like Norway, primarily use renewable energy sources for electricity generation, others still heavily rely on fossil fuels. The continued reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation underscores the urgent need for a global shift towards cleaner energy alternatives.
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Fossil fuels are dominant worldwide, despite renewables growth
Fossil fuels are the dominant energy source for electricity generation worldwide, despite the growth of renewable energy sources. In 2023, the power sector was the largest source of global greenhouse gas emissions, with most emissions coming from burning fossil fuels to produce energy, mainly for electricity and heat. Fossil fuel plants burn coal, oil, or gas to generate heat, which is used to produce steam to drive turbines that generate electricity. Gas plants use hot gases to drive turbines, while combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plants also employ steam generators to increase electricity output. Fossil fuel plants require large quantities of fuel and have contributed to air pollution and climate change through the emission of carbon dioxide and other pollutants like oxides of sulphur and nitrogen.
While renewable energy sources like wind and solar emit little to no greenhouse gases, are readily available, and are often cheaper than fossil fuels, the fossil fuel industry maintained its dominance in 2022, accounting for 82% of the global energy supply. This dominance persisted despite a record increase in renewables capacity of 266 gigawatts, led by solar power. Global energy demand rose by 1% in 2022, and the turmoil in energy markets following Russia's invasion of Ukraine contributed to a boost in gas and coal prices in Europe and Asia.
The continued reliance on fossil fuels is evident in the 2017 statistics, where fossil fuels generated 64.5% of worldwide electricity, an increase from 61.9% in 1990. While nuclear power, a clean and reliable energy source, generated 10.5% of the world's electricity in 2018, fossil fuels remain prevalent. The transition to net-zero emissions is expected to result in a net gain of 9 million jobs in the clean energy sector by 2030, as renewable energy becomes more affordable and attractive worldwide.
The persistence of fossil fuel dominance despite the growth of renewables can be attributed to various factors. Firstly, access to reliable electricity is crucial for human well-being, and currently, one in seven people globally lacks access to electricity. As a result, electricity demand will continue to rise, creating a challenge to simultaneously reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet increasing energy demands. Secondly, the fossil fuel industry receives substantial subsidies, with approximately $7 trillion spent in 2022, compared to the estimated $4.5 trillion needed annually until 2030 to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 in the renewable energy sector. The upfront costs of transitioning to renewable energy can be daunting for countries with limited resources, requiring financial and technical support.
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Frequently asked questions
Fossil fuels are fuels made from the remains of dead plants and animals. They include coal, natural gas, and petroleum.
Fossil fuel power plants burn coal or oil to create heat, which is used to generate steam to drive turbines that generate electricity. In gas plants, hot gases drive a turbine to generate electricity.
Burning fossil fuels produces large amounts of carbon dioxide, which contributes to climate change. Fossil fuel plants also produce other pollutants, such as oxides of sulphur and nitrogen, which cause acid rain.
