World energy consumption dropped in 2009 as the global recession took its toll, a report from energy giant BP reveals.
According to the firm’s ‘Statistical Review of World Energy’, energy consumption was lower in 2009 than the previous year, the first such decline since 1982.
Globally, consumption of oil, natural gas and nuclear power all declined, while coal consumption was essentially flat; only hydroelectric output and other renewable forms of energy increased in 2009. As a result the data suggests that global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from energy use fell for the first time since 1998.
Global oil consumption declined by 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd), or 1.7 per cent, the largest decline since 1982. OECD consumption fell by 4.8 per cent (2 million bpd), a fourth consecutive decline. Outside the OECD, consumption growth slowed to 860,000bpd, or 2.1 per cent, the weakest percentage growth since 2001. China, India, and Middle Eastern countries accounted for all of the non-OECD growth.
As the world seeks to make the most of energy alternatives, the Review reports that dwindling oil reserves now stand at 1,333.1 billion barrels at the end of 2009- sufficient to meet 2009 production levels for 45.7 years. On the same basis, reserves of gas are sufficient for 62.8 years and coal for 119 years.
Commenting on the data highlights in the review, Iain Conn, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive of Refining & Marketing said: ”Last year’s decline in global energy consumption was rare; and where we have data so far in 2010 energy consumption is again on the rise.
As the firm battles with the Deepwater Horizon disaster, Mr Conn added: “The world needs to invest today to be able to deliver the energy supplies that will be needed in the future. Events in the Gulf of Mexico, however, demonstrate that access to some energy resources will almost certainly require enhanced measures to ensure safe operations and capabilities to safeguard the environment.”
While the reports shows that forms of renewable energy remained a small share of the global energy mix in 2009, they have continued to grow rapidly. Continued government support, including targeted fiscal stimulus in many countries, helped to boost global wind and solar generation capacity by 31 per cent and 47 per cent, respectively. Ethanol production rose by 8 per cent, just over half the historical average.
