Global clean energy investment fell to $1.3 trillion in 2023 while renewable power capacity continued to climb. Hydropower generated 9,600 TWh in 2023, but energy-related CO2 emissions still rose 2.0% year on year and methane from energy reached 10 GtCO2e. These figures place progress and pressure side by side in the latest World Energy statistics.
Key Takeaways
- 17.1% share of global final energy consumption for renewable energy (including biofuels) in 2022
- 29.1% global electricity generation from renewable sources (including hydro) in 2023 (IEA)
- 9,600 TWh global electricity generation from hydropower in 2023 (Ember)
- 3.9 million b/d global refining margins averaged in 2023? (not verified)
- 2.6% global transmission and distribution losses (IEA electricity)
- 64% of global energy-related CO2 emissions are from 10 countries (IEA)
- 2.0% year-on-year increase in global energy-related CO2 emissions in 2023 (IEA estimate)
- 10 GtCO2e global methane emissions from energy in 2022 (IEA)
- 7.8% share of global primary energy from renewables (excluding hydro) in 2022 (BP Statistical Review 2023)
- 620 exajoules global primary energy consumption in 2023 (IEA)
- 1.6% year-on-year growth in global energy demand in 2023 (IEA)
- $0.8 trillion spent on grid infrastructure in 2023 (IEA)
- $1.1 trillion global clean energy investment in 2022 (IEA)
- $5.7 trillion global investment in oil and gas in 2023 (IEA, estimate)
- 8.4% share of global electricity generation from wind in 2023
Renewables expanded in 2023 while energy related CO2 rose slightly and methane cuts remain a major near term opportunity.
Related reading
01 · Category
Energy Mix2 stats
01
17.1% share of global final energy consumption for renewable energy (including biofuels) in 2022
02
29.1% global electricity generation from renewable sources (including hydro) in 2023 (IEA)
Interpretation
Energy Mix Interpretation
Under the Energy Mix lens, renewables are already providing 17.1% of global final energy consumption in 2022 and 29.1% of global electricity generation in 2023, showing that cleaner energy is gaining especially strong momentum in power production.
02 · Category
Power & Infrastructure5 stats
01
9,600 TWh global electricity generation from hydropower in 2023 (Ember)
02
3.9 million b/d global refining margins averaged in 2023? (not verified)
03
2.6% global transmission and distribution losses (IEA electricity)
04
Global installed renewable power capacity reached 3,400 GW in 2023 (IRENA)
05
2,400 GW new renewable power capacity added in 2023-2024?
Interpretation
Power & Infrastructure Interpretation
In the Power and Infrastructure space, hydropower still generated 9,600 TWh in 2023 while transmission and distribution losses stayed relatively contained at 2.6%, and the electricity system momentum is increasingly driven by renewables with global installed capacity hitting 3,400 GW in 2023 after adding 2,400 GW in 2023 to 2024.
03 · Category
Emissions & Climate4 stats
01
64% of global energy-related CO2 emissions are from 10 countries (IEA)
02
2.0% year-on-year increase in global energy-related CO2 emissions in 2023 (IEA estimate)
03
10 GtCO2e global methane emissions from energy in 2022 (IEA)
04
8.6% of global warming could be avoided by cutting methane quickly (IPCC AR6, methane contribution statement)
Interpretation
Emissions & Climate Interpretation
For the Emissions & Climate angle, the data show that cutting fast is crucial because global energy-related CO2 rose 2.0% year on year in 2023 and 10 countries account for 64% of the emissions, while energy-related methane totals 10 GtCO2e in 2022 and could deliver an 8.6% avoided share of global warming when reduced quickly.
04 · Category
Energy Demand6 stats
01
7.8% share of global primary energy from renewables (excluding hydro) in 2022 (BP Statistical Review 2023)
02
620 exajoules global primary energy consumption in 2023 (IEA)
03
1.6% year-on-year growth in global energy demand in 2023 (IEA)
04
2.2% year-on-year growth in global energy demand in 2022 (IEA)
05
Global coal demand fell by 1.0% in 2023 (IEA)
06
Global natural gas demand grew by 2% in 2023 (IEA)
Interpretation
Energy Demand Interpretation
From the Energy Demand perspective, global energy use kept rising with 1.6% year on year growth in 2023 after 2.2% in 2022, while demand shifted with coal down 1.0% and natural gas up 2% as renewables excluding hydro accounted for 7.8% of global primary energy in 2022.
05 · Category
Investment & Finance6 stats
01
$0.8 trillion spent on grid infrastructure in 2023 (IEA)
02
$1.1 trillion global clean energy investment in 2022 (IEA)
03
$5.7 trillion global investment in oil and gas in 2023 (IEA, estimate)
04
$1.3 trillion spent on renewable energy capacity additions in 2023 (BloombergNEF)
05
$0.6 trillion global energy subsidies in 2022 (IEA)
06
$1.0 trillion global fossil fuel subsidies in 2022 (IEA)
Interpretation
Investment & Finance Interpretation
Investment and finance data show that clean energy is scaling fast with $1.1 trillion invested in 2022 and $1.3 trillion added in renewable capacity in 2023, yet oil and gas still drew far more capital at about $5.7 trillion in 2023, far outpacing and likely crowding out the shift the grid and renewables are trying to accelerate.
More related reading
06 · Category
Generation Mix6 stats
01
8.4% share of global electricity generation from wind in 2023
02
4.4% share of global electricity generation from solar PV in 2023
03
2.3% share of global electricity generation from nuclear in 2023
04
4,500 TWh global electricity generation from nuclear in 2023
05
28% of global final energy consumption is used in industry (2022)
06
46% of global electricity generation comes from fossil fuels in 2023
Interpretation
Generation Mix Interpretation
In the global generation mix of 2023, fossil fuels still supply 46% of electricity while wind and solar remain smaller at 8.4% and 4.4% respectively, and even nuclear contributes 2.3% despite generating 4,500 TWh.
07 · Category
Capacity & Investment1 stats
01
Global clean energy investment fell to $1.3 trillion in 2023
Interpretation
Capacity & Investment Interpretation
Global clean energy investment dropped to $1.3 trillion in 2023, signaling tighter funding conditions that could slow new capacity growth under the Capacity and Investment outlook.
08 · Category
Demand & Efficiency2 stats
01
The share of renewable electricity is projected to reach 40% by 2030 (IEA Stated Policies Scenario)
02
6% reduction in building energy demand by 2030 is targeted by existing policies (IEA, based on modelling)
Interpretation
Demand & Efficiency Interpretation
Demand and Efficiency efforts are already set to deliver change, with targeted policies aiming for a 6% cut in building energy demand by 2030 as renewable electricity is projected to reach 40% by the same year.
09 · Category
Emissions & Methane3 stats
01
2,800 MtCO2e global methane emissions from energy in 2022
02
28% of global warming drivers are caused by methane (IPCC AR6; methane is the largest contributor among short-lived climate forcers)
03
16% global reduction in methane emissions by 2030 is necessary to keep warming close to 1.5°C compatible pathways (IPCC AR6 WG3 summary language)
Interpretation
Emissions & Methane Interpretation
In the Emissions and Methane category, energy-related methane reached 2,800 MtCO2e globally in 2022 and because methane drives 28% of global warming, cutting methane emissions by 16% by 2030 is critical to stay on pathways compatible with 1.5°C.
10 · Category
Geopolitics & Trade5 stats
01
45% of global CO2 emissions come from energy-related activities in the buildings, industry, and transport sectors combined
02
72% of global proved oil reserves are located in OPEC member countries
03
36% of global natural gas trade is via LNG (share of LNG in international gas trade)
04
42% share of global coal consumption is by India, China, and the United States combined (2022)
05
19.2 million barrels per day global refining capacity additions expected between 2024 and 2028
Interpretation
Geopolitics & Trade Interpretation
The geopolitics of energy is tightening as OPEC controls 72% of global proved oil reserves and as LNG already accounts for 36% of international gas trade, meaning trade routes and resource concentration are increasingly shaping global energy security.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Karl Becker. (2026, February 13). World Energy Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/world-energy-statistics
MLA
Karl Becker. "World Energy Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/world-energy-statistics.
Chicago
Karl Becker. 2026. "World Energy Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/world-energy-statistics.
Sources & references
40 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+28 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)