Global primary energy consumption increased 1.8% in 2012, compared with 2.4% in 2011, as a result of improved energy efficiency and the economic downturn. Much of the demand came from non-OECD countries, as China and India combined represented 89% of growth. Oil was the primary fuel used in 2012, with consumption increasing by 890,000 barrels per day to account for 33% of energy consumption. Oil production rose 2.2%, or 1.2% excluding OPEC, led by the US, where it grew a record 13.9%. Coal was the fastest growing fossil fuel, as consumption rose 2.5% to account for 30% of energy consumption. China increased its coal consumption 6.1% to make up 50% of world coal use. Coal production increased 2.0%. Natural gas consumption rose 2.2% to account for 24% of world energy consumption, while natural gas production rose 1.9%. Consumption of hydroelectricity and nuclear energy increased 4.3% and fell a record 6.9% to account for 7% and 5% of global energy consumption, respectively. Renewable energy consumption rose 15.2% to account for 2%. Renewable energy production constituted 5% of global energy production. However, biofuels production fell 0.4%, mostly due to the US, where it fell 4.3%.

Source: BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2013