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Energy system struggles in face of geopolitical and environmental crises

26/06/2023


The Energy Institute (EI) and partners KPMG and Kearney today released the 72nd annual edition of the Statistical Review of World Energy, presenting for the first time full global energy data for 2022.

Five key themes emerge from the data:

  1. Post-COVID, transport fuel demand patterns continued to return, but with major variations across geographies and fuel types. China was a major outlier, in particular in terms of jet fuel remaining significantly below its pre-COVID level, due to its ‘zero COVID’ policy.
  2. The Ukraine conflict and curtailment of Russian supplies to Europe precipitated record international gas prices in Europe (a threefold increase) and Asia (twofold), and unprecedented shifts in global oil and gas trade flows.
  3. The strong pace of deployment of renewables in the power sector continued, driven by solar and wind. 2022 saw the largest ever increase in wind and solar new build capacity. Together they reached a record 12% share of power generation, with solar up 25% and wind up 13.5%. Renewables (excluding hydro) met 84% of net electricity demand growth in 2022.
  4. Global primary energy consumption grew by around 1% in 2022, taking it to nearly 3% above the 2019 pre-COVID level. Within this, gas fell by 3% and renewables (excluding hydro) increased by 13%. The dominance of fossil fuels was largely unchanged at almost 82% of total consumption.
  5. Global energy-related emissions continued to grow, up 0.8%, despite strong growth in renewables.

EI President Juliet Davenport OBE HonFEI said:

“The EI Statistical Review provides a high-level view of how our energy systems are adapting to escalating geopolitical and environmental crises.

“2022 saw some of the worst ever impacts of climate change – the devastating floods affecting millions in Pakistan, the record heat events across Europe and North America – yet we have to look hard for positive news on the energy transition in this new data.

“Despite further strong growth in wind and solar in the power sector, overall global energy-related greenhouse gas emissions increased again. We are still heading in the opposite direction to that required by the Paris Agreement.”

EI Chief Executive Nick Wayth CEng FEI FIMechE, said:

“As the world emerged from the pandemic and its impact on demand, 2022 witnessed energy markets again in crisis, with the Ukraine conflict upending assumptions about supply around the world. That in turn precipitated a price crisis and profound cost-of-living pressures across many economies.

“The EI Statistical Review shows how the world’s energy markets struggled to respond to the crisis, how the trade and flow of energy contorted, and how vulnerable our economies are to supply and price shocks.”

Simon Virley CB FEI, Vice Chair and Head of Energy and Natural Resources, KPMG in the UK said:

“The EI Statistical Review is essential reading for policymakers around the world trying to balance the energy trilemma. All aspects of the trilemma were put under severe strain in 2022. Despite record growth in renewables, the share of world energy still coming from fossil fuels remains stubbornly stuck at 82%, which should act as a clarion call for governments to inject more urgency into the energy transition."

Richard Forrest FEI, Global Sustainability Lead Partner and Chair Energy Transition Institute, Kearney said:

“2022 was a turbulent year for the energy industry, with the Ukraine conflict and the tail end of the pandemic driving energy cost and security concerns to the top of the priority list in many regions. The global energy consumption increased 1.1% over the year, with a 0.8% increase in greenhouse gas emissions reinforcing the need for urgent action to get the world on track to meet the Paris targets. The need to drive the energy transition at pace to deliver clean, affordable and secure energy has never been greater.”

2022 key data

Primary energy

Carbon emissions

Oil

Natural gas

Coal

Renewables, hydro and nuclear

Electricity

Key minerals

Notes for editors

  1. EI press office: Nick Turton nturton@energyinst.org 07776 135296
  2. The EI Statistical Review of World Energy 2023 and other material is available online from 26 June at www.energyinst.org/statistical-review
  3. The Statistical Review of World Energy, published annually since 1952 by bp. It was announced in February that it would pass to the EI and its partners KPMG and Kearney, with continuing support from bp during the transition. Data compilation continues to be undertaken by Heriot-Watt University. As this new chapter in the story of the Statistical Review opens, it continues to be full, first and free: the fullest, most reliable account of energy production, consumption, trade and emissions; the first data source to provide a complete global picture of the previous year; and completely free to access for users.
  4. The Energy Institute (EI) is the chartered professional membership body for people who work across the world of energy. Our purpose is to create a better energy future for our members and society by accelerating a just global energy transition to net zero. We do this by attracting, developing, and equipping the diverse future energy workforce; informing energy decision-making through convening expertise and advice; and enabling industry and consumers to make energy lower carbon, safer, and more efficient.
  5. KPMG firms offer audit, tax, and advisory services in 143 countries and territories across the globe. It’s our people who make the difference. Every day, they’re helping organisations across every sector accelerate their digital transformation, manage risks, drive forward with their ESG strategies, and drive sustainable growth.
  6. Kearney is a leading global management consulting firm. For nearly 100 years, we have been a trusted advisor to C-suites, government bodies, and non-profit organizations. Our people make us who we are. Driven to be the difference between a big idea and making it happen, we help our clients break through.
  7. Heriot-Watt University is a global research-led university based in the UK with five campuses in Edinburgh, the Scottish Borders, Orkney, Dubai and Malaysia. We are specialists in business, engineering, design, and the physical, social, sports, environmental and life sciences subjects which make a real impact on the world and society.