Sylvie Willis
Energy consumption is a critical aspect of modern life, powering everything from transportation to industrial processes. Fossil fuels, including petroleum, natural gas, and coal, remain the dominant source of energy globally, accounting for about 80% of primary energy production. In the United States, total primary energy consumption in 2023 was about 94 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu), with fossil fuels contributing to 84% of this. While renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower are gaining traction, they still have a long way to go to match the energy output of fossil fuels. This is evident in the US, where renewable energy consumption reached a record high of 9% in 2023. Globally, coal is the largest source of electricity, with oil and natural gas also playing significant roles in the energy mix. The consumption of these fuels varies widely between countries, with population size being a key factor. As the world transitions towards low-carbon energy sources, it's important to recognize the scale of our current fuel usage and the environmental impact of burning fossil fuels.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total U.S. primary energy consumption in 2023 | 94 quadrillion Btu |
| Percentage of U.S. primary energy consumption from renewable sources in 2023 | 9% (8.24 quads) |
| U.S. total annual energy production compared to consumption since 2019 | Higher |
| U.S. total annual energy production in 2023 | 102.83 quads |
| U.S. total annual energy consumption in 2023 | 93.59 quads |
| Percentage of U.S. primary energy production from fossil fuels in 2023 | 84% |
| Average U.S. total petroleum consumption in 2022 | 20.28 million barrels per day |
| Average U.S. consumption of finished motor gasoline in 2022 | 8.78 million barrels per day |
| Average U.S. consumption of jet fuel in 2022 | 1.56 million barrels per day |
| Percentage of U.S. jet fuel consumption in relation to total petroleum consumption in 2022 | 8% |
| Average annual fuel use for Class 8 trucks in the U.S. | Highest among major vehicle categories |
| Percentage of total U.S. energy consumption from petroleum and other liquid fuels projected for 2023 | 37% |
| Projected percentage of total U.S. energy consumption from petroleum and other liquid fuels in 2050 | 34% |
| Annual global LNG consumption | 10.4 billion tonnes |
| Annual global coal consumption | 8 billion tonnes |
| Annual global oil consumption | 4 billion tonnes |
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuels account for 84% of US energy production
Fossil fuels have dominated the US energy mix for over a century. In 2023, fossil fuels—petroleum, natural gas, and coal—accounted for about 84% of total US primary energy production. The US has seen a decline in coal consumption, with renewable energy consumption surpassing coal consumption for the first time in 2023 and 2019, respectively. Despite this, fossil fuels continue to be the largest source of energy production and consumption in the US.
The US has witnessed a shift in its energy mix over time. While fossil fuels have traditionally dominated, there has been a recent increase in the production of crude oil, dry natural gas, and natural gas plant liquids (NGPL). From 2008 to 2019, US production of these fuels increased by 15 quadrillion British thermal units (quads), 14 quads, and 4 quads, respectively. These increases have more than offset the decrease in coal production, which has fallen by 10 quads since its peak in 2008.
The share of US total energy production from fossil fuels peaked in 1966 at 93-94%total fossil fuel production has continued to rise, production from non-fossil fuel sources, such as nuclear power and renewables, has also increased. As a result, fossil fuels have accounted for about 80% of US energy production in recent years, with a slight increase to 84% in 2023.
The US energy landscape is evolving, with renewable energy sources gaining traction. Solar and wind power have experienced rapid growth over the past decade, but as of 2018, they accounted for less than 4% of the country's energy usage. The US has become more energy-efficient since World War II, and in 2018, about two-thirds of all the energy used was wasted. Despite this, the US meets nearly all its energy needs through domestic production, with net imports, mainly petroleum, accounting for less than 4% of the total energy supply in 2018.
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Gasoline is the most-consumed petroleum product in the US
Finished motor gasoline includes fuel ethanol, which is blended into gasoline at refineries. In 2022, fuel ethanol consumption was about 1.002 b/d. Most of the finished motor gasoline sold for vehicles in the US is about 10% fuel ethanol by volume. Light-duty vehicles (cars, sport utility vehicles, and small trucks) account for about 91% of all gasoline consumption in the US.
The transportation sector accounts for the largest share of US petroleum consumption, with about 69% of all petroleum products consumed in this sector in 2019. Gasoline use varies among the states, but Texas and California have historically accounted for the largest shares of total US motor gasoline consumption.
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Coal is the largest source of electricity globally
In 2022, global coal-fired power generation rose by nearly 2%, continuing a record-breaking streak for the second year in a row to around 10,400 TWh. This growth was driven by the Asia Pacific region, where extreme weather events and record-breaking natural gas prices led to higher coal use in electricity generation. China, the world's largest consumer of coal, added 11 GW of new coal-fired power plants to its grid in 2022.
While coal is being gradually replaced in most countries, it remains crucial in certain industrial processes, such as iron and steel production, and for energy generation in countries with limited alternatives. For example, South Africa noted that it may need to pause the decommissioning of some coal plants to ensure its energy security in the short term.
However, coal is the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel, and global CO2 emissions from coal-fired power plants reached a new high in 2022. There is a growing trend towards renewable energy sources, with the International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasting that renewable energy sources will surpass coal by early 2025. The IEA's Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario envisions that all unabated coal generation will end by 2040.
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LNG supplies over 20% of the world's energy
The world's energy consumption is measured in various units depending on the type of fuel. For instance, liquid fuels are measured in barrels or gallons, natural gas in cubic feet, coal in short tons, and electricity in kilowatts and kilowatt-hours. The British thermal unit (Btu) is also used for comparing different types of energy to one another.
Fossil fuels, including petroleum, natural gas, and coal, have dominated the US energy mix for over a century. In 2022, the US consumed approximately 20.28 million barrels of petroleum per day, including about 1.17 million barrels of biofuels per day. In the same year, gasoline consumption averaged about 8.78 million barrels per day, accounting for about 43% of total US petroleum consumption. Jet fuel was the fourth-most-consumed petroleum product in the US in 2022, with consumption averaging about 1.56 million barrels per day (or about 65 million gallons per day), making up about 8% of total petroleum consumption.
While I could not find precise information on the percentage of the world's energy supplied by LNG, it is clear that LNG is becoming increasingly important in the global energy landscape. LNG, or liquefied natural gas, is a critical buffer in supply chains, offering security and flexibility. LNG promotes energy security by enabling a rapid response to supply shocks and supporting decarbonization efforts by displacing carbon-intensive fuels like coal.
LNG has had a transformative impact on Pakistan's energy sector. In response to severe power shortages in the early 2010s, Pakistan developed LNG import terminals with a regasification capacity of 1.35 billion cubic feet per day. By 2023, Pakistan's LNG imports had reached 8.7 billion cubic meters, making up 42% of its energy mix. This demonstrates LNG's potential to address energy shortages and contribute significantly to a country's energy supply.
In addition to Pakistan, LNG is also proving its value in other parts of Asia. India, for example, aims to increase the share of gas in its energy mix from 6% in 2020 to 15% by 2030. Low-carbon technologies are enhancing LNG's sustainability credentials, with projects like Australia's Gorgon project capturing over 4 million tons of CO₂ annually. LNG infrastructure is also being leveraged to scale low-carbon fuels, such as through India's Kakinada green hydrogen initiative.
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The US produced 9% more energy than it consumed in 2023
In 2023, the US produced 9% more energy than it consumed. The country's total annual energy production has exceeded its total annual energy consumption since 2019. In 2023, production was about 102.83 quads, and consumption was 93.59 quads. Fossil fuels—petroleum, natural gas, and coal—accounted for about 84% of total US primary energy production that year.
The US uses and produces many different types and sources of energy, including primary, secondary, renewable, and fossil fuels. In 2023, total US primary energy consumption was about 94 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu). Fossil fuels have dominated the US energy mix for over a century, but the mix has changed over time. For example, coal's contribution to total US energy consumption has declined from about 37% in 1950 to 9% in 2023, as the country's electric power sector has increased its use of other energy sources and reduced coal consumption. Nuclear energy production in commercial nuclear power plants in the US began in 1957 and grew each year until 1990. Its share of US energy consumption peaked in 2020 at about 9% (8.25 quads).
In 2023, the electric power sector accounted for about 96% of total US utility-scale electricity generation, nearly all of which was sold to the other sectors. About 60% of this electricity generation was from fossil fuels, 19% from nuclear energy, and 21% from renewable energy sources. Renewable energy production and consumption reached record highs in 2023, with production at about 9% (8.43 quads) of total primary energy production and consumption at about 9% (8.24 quads) of total primary energy consumption. The recent increases have been driven mainly by large increases in solar and wind energy production.
In 2024, the US produced more energy than ever before. Natural gas plant liquids (NGPL), which include fuels such as ethane and propane, accounted for about 9% of total US energy production that year. NGPL production was a record 4 trillion cubic feet in 2024, up 7% from 2023.
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