Global Energy Review 2021
Global Energy Review 2021
Review 2021
Assessing the effects of economic recoveries on
global energy demand and CO2 emissions in 2021
INTERNATIONAL ENERGY
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Abstract
As the world enters a second year of the Covid-19 pandemic, the annual Global
Energy Review assesses the direction energy demand and carbon dioxide
emissions are taking in 2021. The latest statistical data and real-time analysis
confirm our initial estimates for 2020 energy demand and CO2 emissions while
providing insights into how economic activity and energy use are rebounding in
countries around the world – and what this means for global emissions.
The pace of global vaccine rollouts, the possible emergence of new variants of the
Covid-19 virus, and the size and effectiveness of economic stimulus measures all
represent major uncertainties for the outlook. This analysis therefore not only
charts a possible path for energy use and CO2 emissions in 2021 but also
highlights the many factors that could lead to differing outcomes.
PAGE | 1
Global Energy Review 2021 Key findings
Assessing the effects of economic recoveries
on global energy demand and CO2 emissions in 2021
Key findings
Emerging markets are driving energy demand back above 2019 levels.
Global energy demand is set to increase by 4.6% in 2021, more than offsetting
the 4% contraction in 2020 and pushing demand 0.5% above 2019 levels. Almost
70% of the projected increase in global energy demand is in emerging markets
and developing economies, where demand is set to rise to 3.4% above 2019
levels. Energy use in advanced economies is on course to be 3% below pre-Covid
levels.
Global coal demand in 2021 is set to exceed 2019 levels and approach its
2014 peak. Coal demand is on course to rise 4.5% in 2021, with more than 80%
of the growth concentrated in Asia. China alone is projected to account for over
50% of global growth. Coal demand in the United States and the European Union
is also rebounding, but is still set to remain well below pre-crisis levels. The power
sector accounted for only 50% of the drop in coal-related emissions in 2020. But
the rapid increase in coal-fired generation in Asia means the power sector is
expected to account for 80% of the rebound in 2021.
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PAGE | 2
Global Energy Review 2021 Key findings
Assessing the effects of economic recoveries
on global energy demand and CO2 emissions in 2021
Among fossil fuels, natural gas is on course for the biggest rise relative to
2019 levels. Natural gas demand is set to grow by 3.2% in 2021, propelled by
increasing demand in Asia, the Middle East and the Russian Federation
(“Russia”). This is expected to put global demand more than 1% above 2019
levels. In the United States – the world’s largest natural gas market – the annual
increase in demand is set to amount to less than 20% of the 20 bcm decline in
2020, squeezed by the continued growth of renewables and rising natural gas
prices. Nearly three-quarters of the global demand growth in 2021 is from the
industry and buildings sectors, while electricity generation from natural gas
remains below 2019 levels.
Electricity demand is heading for its fastest growth in more than 10 years.
Electricity demand is due to increase by 4.5% in 2021, or over 1 000 TWh. This is
almost five times greater than the decline in 2020, cementing electricity's share in
final energy demand above 20%. Almost 80% of the projected increase in demand
in 2021 is in emerging market and developing economies, with the People's
Republic China (“China”) alone accounting for half of global growth. Demand in
advanced economies remains below 2019 levels.
Renewables remain the success story of the Covid-19 era. Demand for
renewables grew by 3% in 2020 and is set to increase across all key sectors –
power, heating, industry and transport – in 2021. The power sector leads the way,
with its demand for renewables on course to expand by more than 8%, to reach
8 300 TWh, the largest year-on-year growth on record in absolute terms.
Renewables are set to provide more than half of the increase in global
electricity supply in 2021. Solar PV and wind are expected to contribute two-
thirds of renewables’ growth. The share of renewables in electricity generation is
projected to increase to almost 30% in 2021, their highest share since the
beginning of the Industrial Revolution and up from less than 27% in 2019. Wind is
on track to record the largest increase in renewable generation, growing by
275 TWh, or around 17%, from 2020. Solar PV electricity generation is expected
to rise by 145 TWh, or almost 18%, and to approach 1 000 TWh in 2021.
China alone is likely to account for almost half the global increase in
renewable electricity generation. It is followed by the United States, the
European Union and India. China is expected to generate over 900 TWh from
solar PV and wind in 2021, the European Union around 580 TWh, and the United
States 550 TWh. Together, they represent almost three-quarters of global solar
PV and wind output.
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PAGE | 3
Global Energy Review 2021 Economic impacts of Covid 19
Assessing the effects of economic recoveries
on global energy demand and CO2 emissions in 2021
6%
4%
2%
0%
-2%
-4%
1990 2000 2010 2021
IEA. All rights reserved.
Source: IEA analysis based on economic data from the IMF and Oxford Economics.
Thanks to a successful vaccine program and the American Rescue Plan (“the
Biden stimulus”), GDP in the United States will rise above pre-Covid-19
projections.
The European Union, on the other hand, was hit by a severe second wave in the
winter of 2020/21, leading to renewed economic closures and lockdowns, with
recovery further impeded by a slow start to vaccination campaigns. The impact of
national stimulus packages may not be felt until the second half of the year.
Economic output in 2021 is expected to remain 2.3% below 2019 levels. On a
positive note, the bloc’s industrial production is back to pre-Covid levels, owing to
a recovery in international trade. China curtailed the virus early on and was one
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PAGE | 4
Global Energy Review 2021 Economic impacts of Covid 19
Assessing the effects of economic recoveries
on global energy demand and CO2 emissions in 2021
15%
10% India
European Union
5% Japan
United States
0% China
World
-5%
-10%
2020/2019 2021/2020 2021/2019
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PAGE | 5
Global Energy Review 2021 Energy demand
Assessing the effects of economic recoveries
on global energy demand and CO2 emissions in 2021
Energy demand
Evolution of global GDP, total primary energy demand, and energy-related CO2
emissions, relative to 2019.
4%
Indexed (2019 = 0%)
GDP
2%
Energy demand
0%
CO2 emissions
-2%
-4%
-6%
2019 2020 2021
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PAGE | 6
Global Energy Review 2021 Energy demand
Assessing the effects of economic recoveries
on global energy demand and CO2 emissions in 2021
In 2021, oil demand is expected to rebound by 6%, faster than all other fuels. The
last time oil demand increased this rapidly was in 1976. Despite the strong
rebound, oil demand remains 3% (3.1 mb/d) below 2019 levels. Road transport
activity has remained subdued through much of the year, expected to recover to
pre-Covid-19 levels only in the last months of 2021, while air transport demand is
on track to remain markedly below 2019 levels for all of 2021. Only in Asia and,
notably, in China does oil demand climb well above pre-Covid-19 levels.
In 2020, coal demand dropped by 220 million tonnes of coal equivalent (Mtce), or
4%. The largest declines in coal use for electricity generation were in advanced
economies, down 15%, which accounts for more than half of coal’s global decline.
Coal was particularly squeezed in the power mix by lower electricity demand,
increasing output from renewables, and low gas prices. In 2021, coal demand has
rebounded strongly, reversing all of the declines in 2020, though with major
geographic variations. The decline in 2020 was concentrated in the United States
and Europe, and demand in advanced economies is expected to recover only one-
quarter of its 2020 drop, curtailed by renewables deployment, lower gas prices
and phase-out policies. Meanwhile, China is projected to account for 55% of the
2021 increase.
Change of primary energy demand by region and by fuel in 2021 relative to 2019
China India United European World
States Union
10%
5%
0%
-5%
Oil Coal Gas Renewables Nuclear Total
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PAGE | 7
Global Energy Review 2021 Energy demand
Assessing the effects of economic recoveries
on global energy demand and CO2 emissions in 2021
Lower prices enabled gas to be more resilient than coal in 2020, with demand
falling only by 2%. The combination of continued lower prices and rapid growth in
economies across Asia and the Middle East should drive growth of 3% in gas
demand in 2021. As a result, global natural gas demand in 2021 is projected to
rise 1.3% above 2019 levels, the strongest anticipated rebound amongst fossil
fuels.
Renewables have proven largely immune to the pandemic as new capacity has
come online and as they have benefited from priority market access in many
markets. Overall, renewables usage grew by 3% in 2020, largely due to an
increase in electricity generation from solar PV and wind of 330 TWh. Generation
from solar PV and wind is set to grow by 17% in 2021, up from 16% in 2020. Hydro
and biomass generation should also accelerate, with total generation from
renewables growing by 8.3% in 2021, which is faster than 2020’s 7% increase.
Two years of rapid growth means the share of renewables in total electricity
generation will reach almost 30%, up from less than 27% in 2019.
In the United States, despite the recently announced USD 2.3 trillion stimulus-
spending programme, energy demand is projected to increase only 4% in 2021,
with demand remaining 3% below 2019 levels.
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PAGE | 8
Global Energy Review 2021 Energy demand
Assessing the effects of economic recoveries
on global energy demand and CO2 emissions in 2021
Rate of change of energy demand in 2020, and 2021 energy demand relative to 2019
levels, by region
5%
2020/2019
China
0% Africa
Middle East
Southeast Asia
-5% India
Brazil Russia World
European Union
Japan United States
-10%
-6% -4% -2% 0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10%
<- Partial recovery | Full recovery -> 2021/2019
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Note: Bubble size is relative to regional primary energy demand in 2021.
China was a notable exception, the only major economy to experience both an
increase in economic output and in energy demand in 2020. While restrictions to
control the outbreak of Covid-19 depressed demand in the first quarter, the
economy began to recover from April. For the remainder of the year, energy
demand grew by 6% on average from pre-Covid-19 levels. Despite the impressive
growth of renewables, increasing electricity demand led to an all-time high coal
burn in December 2020.
Economic activity in China is set to further accelerate in 2021, and energy demand
is expected to grow by 6%, with demand in 2021 almost 8% higher than in 2019,
thus cementing China’s position as the economy least impacted by Covid-19.
India’s steep economic slide in 2020 pushed oil demand down by more than 8%,
while coal demand for power generation and industry fell by 5% and 11%,
respectively. India’s CO2 emissions were more than 40% lower in April 2020 than
they were a year earlier, making it the steepest monthly decline in emissions seen
in any part of the world last year. But with India’s economy expected to bounce
back strongly in 2021, energy demand is set to rebound by 7%, pushing demand
2% above 2019 levels. Coal demand is expected to increase by almost 9%,
contributing the most to rebounding demand, as electricity demand recovers.
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PAGE | 9
Global Energy Review 2021 CO2 emissions
Assessing the effects of economic recoveries
on global energy demand and CO2 emissions in 2021
CO2 emissions
Global CO2 emissions declined by 5.8% in 2020, or almost 2 Gt CO2 – the largest
ever decline and almost five times greater than the 2009 decline that followed the
global financial crisis. CO2 emissions fell further than energy demand in 2020
owing to the pandemic hitting demand for oil and coal harder than other energy
sources while renewables increased. Despite the decline in 2020, global energy-
related CO2 emissions remained at 31.5 Gt, which contributed to CO2 reaching
its highest ever average annual concentration in the atmosphere of 412.5 parts
per million in 2020 – around 50% higher than when the industrial revolution began.
In 2021 global energy-related CO2 emissions are projected to rebound and grow
by 4.8% as demand for coal, oil and gas rebounds with the economy. The increase
of over 1 500 Mt CO2 would be the largest single increase since the carbon-
intensive economic recovery from the global financial crisis more than a decade
ago, it leaves global emissions in 2021 around 400 Mt CO2, or 1.2%, below the
2019 peak.
PAGE | 10
Global Energy Review 2021 CO2 emissions
Assessing the effects of economic recoveries
on global energy demand and CO2 emissions in 2021
40
Gt CO₂
30
20
10
2
Gt CO₂
-1
-2
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2021
Coal Oil Gas
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PAGE | 11
Global Energy Review 2021 CO2 emissions
Assessing the effects of economic recoveries
on global energy demand and CO2 emissions in 2021
in 2021. A full recovery of global transport activity would push oil-related emissions
above 2019 levels and increase global CO2 emissions by over 1.5%, well above
2019 levels.
Global coal use is anticipated to rebound in 2021 and drive an increase in global
CO2 emissions of around 640 Mt CO2. This would push emissions from coal to
14.8 Gt CO2: 0.4% above 2019 levels and only 350 Mt CO2 short of the global high
in coal-related CO2 emissions of 2014. The power sector accounted for less than
50% of the drop in coal-related emissions in 2020, but it accounts for 80% of the
rebound, largely due to rapidly increasing coal-fired generation in Asia.
CO2 emissions from natural gas combustion are expected to increase by more
than 215 Mt CO2 in 2021 to reach an all-time high of 7.35 Gt CO2, 22% of global
CO2 emissions. Gas use in buildings and industry accounts for much of the trend,
with demand in public and commercial buildings seeing the greatest drop in
demand in 2020 but the biggest anticipated recovery in 2021.
China’s emissions are likely to increase by around 500 Mt CO2. With energy
demand and emissions already growing in 2020, in 2021 CO2 emissions in China
should be 6%, or almost 600 Mt CO2, above 2019 levels. All fossil fuels should
contribute to higher CO2 emissions in China in 2021, but coal is expected to
dominate, contributing 70% to the increase, predominantly due to greater coal use
in the power sector. Despite China’s rapid growth in generation from renewables,
output from coal-fired power plants has increased by 330 TWh, or nearly 7%,
between 2019 and 2021.
Economic recovery in India in 2021 is set to push emissions almost 200 Mt higher
than 2020, leaving emissions 1.4% (or 30 Mt) above 2019 levels. A rebound in
coal demand above 2019 levels drove the emissions increase in India, with the
expected rise in coal-fired electricity generation in 2021 likely to be three times
greater than the increase in generation from renewables. CO2 emissions in India
are now broadly on par with emissions in the European Union at 2.35 Gt, although
they remain two-thirds lower on a per capita basis and 60% below the global
average.
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PAGE | 12
Global Energy Review 2021 CO2 emissions
Assessing the effects of economic recoveries
on global energy demand and CO2 emissions in 2021
In the United States, CO2 emissions in 2021 are expected to rebound by more
than 200 Mt CO2 to 4.46 Gt CO2, yet remain 5.6% below 2019 levels and 21%
below 2005 levels. CO2 emissions from coal are expected to be almost 12% below
2019 as coal use for electricity generation is likely to recover only 40% of the
ground lost to renewables and natural gas in 2020. Oil use, the biggest contributor
to CO2 emissions in the United States, should remain almost 6% below 2019
levels as transport activity remains curtailed across 2021.
CO2 emissions are likely to rebound less in the European Union, as the economic
outlook is dimmer than in other parts of the world. The expected increase of
80 Mt CO2 in 2021 will reverse only one-third of 2020’s drop. EU emissions in 2021
should stand at 2.4 Gt. Most of the 90 Mt CO2 drop in power sector emissions in
2020 will endure through 2021, with a slight anticipated increase in coal and gas-
fired generation in 2021 reversing only 10% of the 2020 drop. The share of coal
in electricity generation in the European Union has declined almost three-
percentage points from 2019 to 2021, to less than 14%.
CO2 emissions from advanced economies have fallen by 1.8 Gt CO2 since 2000,
and their share in global emissions has declined by twenty percentage points to
less than one-third of the global total.
PAGE | 13
Global Energy Review 2021 Oil
Assessing the effects of economic recoveries
on global energy demand and CO2 emissions in 2021
Oil
PAGE | 14
Global Energy Review 2021 Oil
Assessing the effects of economic recoveries
on global energy demand and CO2 emissions in 2021
Change in quarterly oil demand in 2020 and 2021 relative to 2019 levels
2020 2021
4 4%
mb/d
0 0% Other
USA
-4 -4% EU
India
-8 -8%
China
- 12 -12%
Net change
- 16 -16% (right axis)
- 20 -20%
1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q
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Note: Quarterly oil demand data in this figure include biofuels blended with oil products.
Source: IEA OMR March 2021.
China is the only major economy where oil demand in 2020 was above 2019
levels, and demand in 2021 is expected to grow further to almost 9% above 2019
levels. Oil demand in China fell 1.3 mb/d in Q1 of 2020 as the virus hit China and
mobility was curtailed; however, removal of restrictions and a sharp economic
rebound through the rest of the year saw oil demand return to growth. Without the
increase in demand in China in 2021, global demand would be an additional
1 mb/d, or a further one percentage point, below 2019 levels.
Oil demand in the United States is expected to remain around 0.8 mb/d below
2019 levels, mainly as a result of the continued impact of the pandemic-related
restrictions during early 2021. Demand in the European Union remains 0.4 mb/d
below 2019 levels, with continued lockdowns expected to weigh heavily on 2021
annual totals. In India, after further lockdowns in the first half of the year, rapid
demand growth in the second half of the year is likely to push 2021 oil demand
back on par with 2019 levels.
Gasoline demand is set to increase by 1.8 mb/d in 2021 to reach 25.4 mb/d, even
if it will remain 1.2 mb/d below pre-Covid levels. Demand is set to be 2 mb/d below
2019 levels during the first half of 2021 and, while demand should rise in the
second half as restrictions are eased, it is expected to remain around 500 kb/d
below pre-Covid levels. Behavioural changes from the Covid crisis, such as
increased teleworking or greater use of bicycles in cities, outweigh greater
preference for private cars vs. public transport in certain regions.
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PAGE | 15
Global Energy Review 2021 Oil
Assessing the effects of economic recoveries
on global energy demand and CO2 emissions in 2021
-60%
January February March
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Source: IEA analysis based on data from Apple Mobility.
Diesel demand is set to rebound by 1.5 mb/d to 28.5 mb/d in 2021 and should
remain 0.3 mb/d below 2019 levels. Diesel is less impacted by restrictions on
mobility because trucks have operated at near-normal levels as demand continues
for goods held up during the pandemic. New Covid restriction measures
implemented in 2021 are not anticipated to restrict manufacturing and the
transportation of industrial goods.
Jet fuel and kerosene demand has been the oil product most affected during the
pandemic. Air traffic is expected to recover slowly in the first half of 2021 and pick
up in the second half when vulnerable populations in the developed world have
been vaccinated. Pent up demand could push revenue passenger kilometres
(RPKs) up by 50% y-o-y. In this case, we expect total jet fuel and kerosene
demand to increase by 0.8 mb/d on 2020 levels in 2021, a rebound of 17%.
Despite this growth, demand would still remain 30% below 2019 levels.
Petrochemical feedstock will be the only oil sector to surpass pre-crisis levels with
plastics production driven by increased needs for packaging and personal
protective equipment. We expect LPG, ethane and naphtha demand to increase
by 0.8 mb/d in 2021 (4%).
Fuel oil demand will increase by nearly 0.3 mb/d in 2021 (4.5%) as it is expected
to benefits from a rebound in bunker fuel demand and higher industrial activity.
Most of the growth will be for the new, very low sulphur fuel oil introduced by
International Maritime Organisation regulations.
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PAGE | 16
Global Energy Review 2021 Coal
Assessing the effects of economic recoveries
on global energy demand and CO2 emissions in 2021
Coal
PAGE | 17
Global Energy Review 2021 Coal
Assessing the effects of economic recoveries
on global energy demand and CO2 emissions in 2021
2 000
China
1 500
Other
1 000 Advanced
economies
500
China is the only major economy where coal demand increased in 2020. Strong
economic growth underpins electricity demand in 2021, while post-Covid stimulus
measures support production of steel, cement and other coal-intensive industrial
products. We expect coal demand to increase by more than 4% in 2021, keeping
demand well above the 2014 peak and reaching the highest ever levels for China.
The Chinese coal power fleet (including combined heat and power, or CHP,
plants) represent around one-third of global coal consumption. The future of both
Chinese and global coal demand depends on the Chinese electricity system.
Electricity demand growth remains closely linked to economic growth in China,
with demand increasing on a one-to-one ratio with GDP. What additional share of
electricity demand is met by coal depends on how fast technologies such as
renewables and nuclear come on line. Last year, despite the Covid-19 outbreak,
renewable capacity additions increased to over 100 GW, largely owing to rushes
to complete projects before a subsidy phase-out deadline. Because of
accelerating increases in renewables deployment, coal is expected to meet only
45% of the projected 8% increase in electricity demand in 2021.
In India, April 2020 marked the lowest point of coal consumption in many years
as a significant economic slowdown in the second half of 2019 was followed by
Covid lockdowns. The economic recovery since led to a continuous rebound of
coal consumption, with a 6% increase in the fourth quarter of 2020. Higher coal
demand was also driven by a decline in generation from hydro, following 2019’s
exceptionally high output. Our estimate for India coal consumption assumes a
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PAGE | 18
Global Energy Review 2021 Coal
Assessing the effects of economic recoveries
on global energy demand and CO2 emissions in 2021
strong economic rebound in 2021, pushing Indian GDP firmly above 2019 levels
and driving up coal demand by almost 9% to 1.4% above 2019 levels.
In the United States, coal remains on a structural decline even though 2021 is
projected to be the first growth year for consumption since 2013. Recovering
electricity consumption and higher gas prices underpinned increased coal use in
December 2020, the first monthly year-on-year increase since November 2018.
Coal demand from the power sector is expected to rebound by 10% from the lows
of 2020, though that still should not push coal demand above 2019 levels. Coal-
fired electricity generation represents 90% of coal consumption in the United
States and has more than halved since 2010, with demand falling by one-third
between 2018 and 2020.
A limited rebound for coal in the European Union in 2021 is primarily driven by
economics, but recent political announcements imply continued declines in coal
use. Throughout 2020 there were frequent announcements of green stimulus
packages, zero emissions targets by mid-century, and plans to downsize coal
generation capacity.
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PAGE | 19
Global Energy Review 2021 Natural gas
Assessing the effects of economic recoveries
on global energy demand and CO2 emissions in 2021
Natural gas
PAGE | 20
Global Energy Review 2021 Natural gas
Assessing the effects of economic recoveries
on global energy demand and CO2 emissions in 2021
North America, notably in Texas. Rising prices have challenged the position of gas
in electricity generation as seen in the United States where demand in the first
quarter of 2021 was lower than the first quarter of 2020. Across the year, higher
gas prices are expected to keep gas demand in the United States close to 2020
levels and around 2% below 2019 levels. In the European Union, higher carbon
prices provide some support to gas vis-à-vis coal; preliminary data for the first
quarter show an 8% y-o-y increase in gas demand in Europe. The picture is very
different across developing Asia, where demand in 2021 is expected to increase
by 7% on 2020 levels, putting demand 8.5% above 2019 levels. China leads the
increase, with 2021 demand more than 14% (or 44 bcm) higher than 2019 levels.
100
50
- 50
- 100
2019-20 2020-21 2019-21 2019-20 2020-21 2019-21
Asia Pacific Eurasia Europe Power Industry
North America Middle East Rest of World Buildings Energy own use
World Transport Other
The industry and buildings sectors are expected to lead gas demand growth in
2021, with industry demand increasing by almost 5% as global output and trade
volumes recover. China, India and other fast-growing Asian markets are driving
this growth. Consumption from the buildings sector also grows around 5%,
supported by colder temperatures in Q1. Gas use for electricity generation is
expected to grow just 1% due to low electricity demand growth, increasing
renewable capacity, and tougher price competition from coal.
PAGE | 21
Global Energy Review 2021 Renewables
Assessing the effects of economic recoveries
on global energy demand and CO2 emissions in 2021
Renewables
200 20%
100 10%
0 0%
China USA EU India Rest of
19/20
20/21
19/20
20/21
19/20
20/21
19/20
20/21
World
Solar PV Wind Hydro Bioenergy Others year-on-year growth (right axis)
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\
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PAGE | 22
Global Energy Review 2021 Renewables
Assessing the effects of economic recoveries
on global energy demand and CO2 emissions in 2021
Wind is set for the largest increase in renewable generation, growing by 275 TWh,
or almost 17%, which is significantly greater than 2020 levels. Policy deadlines in
China and the United States drove developers to complete a record amount of
capacity late in the fourth quarter of 2020, leading to notable increases in
generation already from the first two months of 2021. Over the course of 2021,
China is expected to generate 600 TWh and the United States 400 TWh, together
representing more than half of global wind output.
While China will remain the largest PV market, expansion will continue in the
United States with ongoing policy support at the federal and state level. Having
experienced a significant decline in new solar PV capacity additions in 2020 as a
result of Covid-related delays, India’s PV market is expected to recover rapidly in
2021, while increases in generation in Brazil and Viet Nam are driven by strong
policy supports for distributed solar PV applications. Globally, solar PV electricity
generation is expected to increase by 145 TWh, almost 18%, to approach
1 000 TWh in 2021.
Increases in electricity generation from all renewable sources should push the
share of renewables in the electricity generation mix to an all-time high of 30% in
2021. Combined with nuclear, low-carbon sources of generation well and truly
exceed output from the world’s coal plants in 2021.
40% Low-carbon
Coal
30% Nuclear
10%
Wind
Solar PV
0%
1971 1980 1990 2000 2010 2021
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PAGE | 23
Global Energy Review 2021 Renewables
Assessing the effects of economic recoveries
on global energy demand and CO2 emissions in 2021
In 2021, the biofuels market is likely to recover and approach 2019 production
levels as transportation activity slowly resumes and biofuel blending rates
increase. Biofuels are consumed mostly in road transportation, blended with
gasoline and diesel fuels, and thus are less affected by continued depressed
activity in the aviation sector.
PAGE | 24
Global Energy Review 2021 Electricity
Assessing the effects of economic recoveries
on global energy demand and CO2 emissions in 2021
Electricity
Electricity demand
Electricity demand in 2020
Global electricity demand fell by around 1% in 2020, with demand declining most
markedly in the first half of the year as lockdowns restricted commercial and
industrial activity. Demand was, at times, 20-30% lower than pre-lockdown
periods. Compared to the same periods in 2019, after stripping out weather
variations, China’s demand dropped by more than 10% in February. The United
States, after China the second-largest global electricity consumer, experienced a
decline of almost the same magnitude in May during the peak of stay-at-home
orders.
From March to April, weekly demand in Germany, France and the United Kingdom
dropped more than 15% and, in Spain and Italy, by even more than 25%. Similarly,
India saw demand decline more than 20% in several weeks between mid-March
and the end of April. In Japan and Korea – where Covid-19 cases were fewer than
in Europe and the United States – demand declined by around 8% in May.
Advanced economies recovered in the second half of 2020 but remained for the
most part below 2019 levels. Some emerging markets and developing regions
registered strong growth rates towards the end of the year, especially China and
India, who recorded more than 8% and 6% year-on-year growth, respectively, in
the last quarter of 2020.
PAGE | 25
Global Energy Review 2021 Electricity
Assessing the effects of economic recoveries
on global energy demand and CO2 emissions in 2021
The largest consumers in the European Union – Germany, France, Italy and
Spain – are anticipated to remain below 2019 levels, with an increase of almost
3% in 2021 failing to fully make up for declines of 4% to 6% in 2020. It is similar in
Japan, where demand is expected to rebound only 1% from 2020 levels, far from
sufficient to reverse the 4% decline in 2020.
With a projected 2021 GDP growth of 9% in China and 12% in India, electricity
demand is expected to grow by around 8% in both countries compared with 2020.
For China, the projected increase comes on top of 2020 growth, putting demand
in 2021 almost 12% above 2019 levels. Southeast Asian countries are also
expected to see a strong return to growth, with demand increasing 5% in 2021,
putting total demand 3% above 2019 levels.
2019-20
9%
2020-21
6% 2019-21
3%
0%
-3%
-6%
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Electricity supply
Electricity supply in 2020
Record growth of renewables – led by wind and solar PV, which in 2020 grew by
12% and 23%, respectively, combined with a decline in global electricity
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PAGE | 26
Global Energy Review 2021 Electricity
Assessing the effects of economic recoveries
on global energy demand and CO2 emissions in 2021
demand – put fossil fuel-fired and nuclear power plants in a tight spot in 2020.
Demand from non-renewable sources decreased by more than 3%.
Coal was the hardest hit among all sources of electricity in 2020, down 440 TWh.
The 4.4% drop in generation from coal was the largest ever absolute decline and
the largest relative decline in the past fifty years. Driven by low gas prices, the
United States alone accounted for almost half of the global net decline. The
European Union was responsible for an additional 23% of the decline – a decline
largely offset by increases in generation from renewable sources.
Oil continued its uninterrupted global decline since 2012, decreasing by 4.4%.
250 25%
0 0%
- 250 -25%
- 500 -50%
2019-20 2020-21 2019-21 (right axis)
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IEA. All rights reserved.
PAGE | 27
Global Energy Review 2021 Electricity
Assessing the effects of economic recoveries
on global energy demand and CO2 emissions in 2021
The majority of the increase in electricity generation from fossil fuels is likely to be
provided by coal-fired power plants, with their output expected to increase by
480 TWh. Due to upward pressure on gas prices, natural gas benefits to only a
small extent (+1%). In the United States, where coal-fired generation dropped by
around 20% in 2020, we expect about half of this loss to be reversed in 2021 – as
coal-to-gas switching is unwound in some parts of the country. As a result, gas-
fired generation falls by almost 80 TWh in 2021 in the United States.
PAGE | 28
Global Energy Review 2021 Nuclear
Assessing the effects of economic recoveries
on global energy demand and CO2 emissions in 2021
Nuclear
Across advanced economies, nuclear power increases slightly in 2021, with output
remaining 6% below 2019 levels. Nonetheless, nuclear remains the largest single
source of low-carbon generation in these economies.
Nuclear power in the United States is expected to decline further in 2021, with five
reactors scheduled to be retired during the year, leaving output more than 4%
below 2019 levels. The anticipated declines in the United States in 2021 offset
increases in other advanced economies. In Japan, the progressive restart of
reactors is likely to increase nuclear output by 6% in 2021, reversing only a small
fraction of the 30 TWh decline in output in 2020. Across the European Union,
output is set to increase by more than 2% in 2021, due primarily to higher electricity
demand in France and a new reactor in Slovakia, but this increase is insufficient
to make up for the drop in 2020. In emerging market and developing economies,
nuclear power is set to increase by over 5% in 2021, with new reactors coming
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PAGE | 29
Global Energy Review 2021 Nuclear
Assessing the effects of economic recoveries
on global energy demand and CO2 emissions in 2021
PAGE | 30
Global Energy Review 2021 Methodological note
Assessing the effects of economic recoveries
on global energy demand and CO2 emissions in 2021
Methodological note
This release is based on data for the first quarter of 2021 (Q1) from numerous
sources, using data available as of mid-April 2021. Data are available for around
two-thirds of global primary energy demand.
In general, the data collected include the latest monthly IEA country data
submissions through end-February and end-March when available; other
statistical releases from national administrations around the world; and IEA
estimates where official data are missing.
Oil demand data by country issue from the recent market data compiled for the
latest monthly IEA Oil Market Report, published on 14 April 2021.
Gas demand data have been collected for around two-thirds of global gas
demand. Data include information from the EIA for the United States, transmission
system operators in Europe, CQPGX for China, PPAC for India, KOGAS for Korea
and LNG import data as a proxy for gas demand in several additional countries.
Coal demand data are derived principally from coal-fired electricity generation
information, with available data covering around two-third of global coal demand.
Data collected for renewable energy production in 2020 and Q1 2021 were
combined with renewable energy capacity additions in over 100 countries.
Daily, weekly and monthly electricity demand and generation data were compiled
from several sources, such as the United States EIA hourly data, ENTSO-E hourly
data for Europe, latest monthly submission for OECD countries, National Load
Dispatch Centre daily data for India, as well as China and Brazil. Collected
electricity demand and generation data cover around three-quarters of global
electricity demand.
The impact of the pandemic on sectoral and economy-wide activity was assessed
based on quarterly and annual data from Oxford Economics (2021) for countries
available (a combined share of more than 85% of global GDP for quarterly data
and 95% for annual data). These were complemented by annual data from the
World Economic Outlook Database.
CO2 emissions include emissions from all uses of fossil fuels for energy purposes.
CO2 emissions do not include emissions from industrial processes, industrial
waste and non-renewable municipal waste. CO2 emissions from international
marine and aviation bunkers are included at the world level only.
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PAGE | 31
Global Energy Review 2021 Acknowledgements
Assessing the effects of economic recoveries
on global energy demand and CO2 emissions in 2021
Acknowledgements, contributors
and credits
This study was prepared by the Energy Demand Outlook team in the Directorate
of Sustainability, Technology and Outlooks (STO) in co-operation with other
directorates and offices of the International Energy Agency. The study was
designed and directed by Laura Cozzi, Chief Energy Modeller and Head of
Division for Energy Demand Outlook.
Musa Erdogan led on data management and analysis, Timothy Goodson led
on analysis and was lead author.
Key contributions from across the IEA were from Yasmine Arsalane (lead
economic outlook), Heymi Bahar (lead renewables), Christophe Barret (lead
oil), Paulina Becerra Zavala (co-lead electricity), Joel Couse (macroeconomics),
Trevor Criswell (renewables), Amrita Dasgupta (India), Mathilde Daugy
(monthly electricity data), Jean-Baptiste Dubreuil (lead natural gas), Carlos
Fernandez Alvarez (lead coal), Luis Fernando Rosa (oil), Julia Guyon (China
and historical data), Stefan Lorenczik (co-lead electricity), Gergely Molnar
(natural gas), Akos Losz (natural gas), Laszlo Varro (lead macroeconomics),
Brent Wanner (lead electricity supply and nuclear). Gianluca Tonolo provided
essential support.
Thanks go to the IEA’s Communications and Digital Office for their help in
producing the report and website materials, particularly to Jad Mouawad, Jethro
Mullen, Gregory Viscusi, Astrid Dumond, Christopher Gully, Grace Gordon, Merve
Erdil, Rob Stone, Tanya Dyhin and Therese Walsh.
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PAGE | 32
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(including its completeness or accuracy) and shall not be responsible for any use of, or reliance on, the publication.
Unless otherwise indicated, all material presented in figures and tables is derived from IEA data and analysis.
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