World Energy Consumption refers to the total energy used by all of human civilization.

Typically measured per-year, it involves all energy harnessed from every energy source we
use, applied towards humanity's endeavors across every industrial and technological sector,
across every country. Being the power source metric of civilization, World Energy
Consumption has deep implications for humanity's social-economic-political sphere.
Various institutions (Such as the IEA, EIA, and EEA) record and publish energy data
periodically. Improved data and understanding of World Energy Consumption may reveal
systemic trends and patterns, which could help frame current energy issues and encourage
movement towards collectively useful solutions.

[edit] Trends
According to IEA data from 1990 to 2008, the average energy use per person increased 10%
while world population increased 27%. Regional energy use also grew from 1990 to 2008:
the Middle East increased by 170%, China by 146%, India by 91%, Africa by 70%, Latin
America by 66%, the USA by 20%, the EU-27 block by 7%, and world overall grew by 39%.
In 2008, total worldwide energy consumption was 474 exajoules (4741018 J=132,000 TWh).
This is equivalent to an average power use of 15 terawatts (1.5041013 W).[1] The potential
for renewable energy is: solar energy 1600 EJ (444,000 TWh), wind power 600 EJ (167,000
TWh), geothermal energy 500 EJ (139,000 TWh), biomass 250 EJ (70,000 TWh),
hydropower 50 EJ (14,000 TWh) and ocean energy 1 EJ (280 TWh).[4]
Energy consumption in the G20 increased by more than 5% in 2010 after a slight decline of
2009. In 2009, world energy consumption decreased for the first time in 30 years, by 1.1%
(equivalent to 130 Megatonnes of oil), as a result of the financial and economic crisis, which
reduced world GDP by 0.6% in 2009.[5]
This evolution is the result of two contrasting trends: Energy consumption growth remained
vigorous in several developing countries, specifically in Asia (+4%). Conversely, in OECD,
consumption was severely cut by 4.7% in 2009 and was thus almost down to its 2000 levels.
In North America, Europe and the CIS, consumptions shrank by 4.5%, 5% and 8.5%
respectively due to the slowdown in economic activity. China became the world's largest
energy consumer (18% of the total) since its consumption surged by 8% during 2009 (up
from 4% in 2008). Oil remained the largest energy source (33%) despite the fact that its share
has been decreasing over time. Coal posted a growing role in the world's energy
consumption: in 2009, it accounted for 27% of the total.
Most energy is used in the country of origin, since it is cheaper to transport final products
than raw materials. In 2008 the share export of the total energy production by fuel was: oil
50% (1,952/3,941 Mt), gas 25% (800/3,149 bcm), hard coal 14% (793/5,845 Mt) and
electricity 1% (269/20,181 TWh).[6]
Most of the world's energy resources are from the conversion of the sun's rays to other energy
forms after being incident upon the planet. Some of that energy has been preserved as fossil
energy, some is directly or indirectly usable; for example, via wind, hydro- or wave power.
The amount of energy is measured by satellite to be roughly 1368 watts per square meter,[7]

though it fluctuates by about 6.9% during the year due to the Earth's varying distance from
the sun. This value is the total rate of solar energy received by the planet; about half, 89 PW,
reaches the Earth's surface.[citation needed]
The estimates of remaining non-renewable worldwide energy resources vary, with the
remaining fossil fuels totaling an estimated 0.4 YJ (1 YJ = 1024J) and the available nuclear
fuel such as uranium exceeding 2.5 YJ. Fossil fuels range from 0.6 to 3 YJ if estimates of
reserves of methane clathrates are accurate and become technically extractable. The total
energy flux from the sun is 3.8 YJ/yr, dwarfing all non-renewable resources.
Regional energy use (kWh/capita & TWh) and growth 19902008 (%)[8][9]
kWh/capita
Population (million) Energy use (1,000 TWh)
1990
2008 Growth 1990 2008 Growth 1990 2008 Growth
USA
89,021 87,216
2% 250 305
22% 22.3 26.6
20%
EU-27
40,240 40,821
1% 473 499
5% 19.0 20.4
7%
Middle
19,422 34,774
79% 132 199
51%
2.6
6.9
170%
East
China
8,839 18,608
111% 1,141 1,333
17% 10.1 24.8
146%
Latin
11,281 14,421
28% 355 462
30%
4.0
6.7
66%
America
Africa
7,094 7,792
10% 634 984
55%
4.5
7.7
70%
India
4,419 6,280
42% 850 1,140
34%
3.8
7.2
91%
Others*
25,217 23,871
nd 1,430 1,766
23% 36.1 42.2
17%
The World 19,422 21,283
10% 5,265 6,688
27% 102.3 142.3
39%
Source: IEA/OECD, Population OECD/World Bank

Energy use = kWh/capita* Mrd. capita (population) = 1000 TWh

Others: Mathematically calculated, includes e.g. countries in Asia and Australia. The use of energy
varies between the other countries: E.g. in Australia, Japan or Canada energy is used more per
capita than in Bangladesh or Burma.

[edit] Energy Supply vs. End Use

Total world energy supply is distinct from actual world energy usage due to energy loss. For
example, in 2008, total world energy supply was 143,851 TWh, while end use was 98,022
TWh. Energy loss depends on the energy source itself, as well as the technology used. For
example, Nuclear Power (as of 2008) loses 67% of its energy to water cooling systems.
In 2008, world nuclear energy was 8,283 TWh (constituting 5.8% of total world energy),
while nuclear energy end-use was 2,731 TWh (2.8%). Some renewable energy sources have
small energy losses, although hydropower has essentially non-existent energy loss.[10][11]
Given significant energy supply-to-usage ratios, It is important to note these differences
across various energy sources.

[edit] Emissions

Global warming emissions resulting from energy production are a serious environmental
problem. Efforts to resolve this include the Kyoto Protocol, which is a UN agreement aiming
to reduce harmful climate impacts, which a number of nations have signed. Dangerous
concentration remains a subject of debate. A global temperature rise of 2 degrees Celsius is
considered high risk by the SEI. Even to limit global temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius
demands a 75% decline in carbon emissions in industrial countries by 2050, if the population
is 10 mrd in 2050.[12] Across 40 years, this averages to a 2% decrease every year. In 2011, the
warming emissions of energy production continued rising regardless of the consensus of the
basic problem. According to Robert Engelman (Worldwatch institute), in order to prevent
collapse, human civilization must stop increasing emissions within a decade regardless of the
economy or population (2009).[13]

[edit] Primary energy

World energy and power supply (TWh)[14]
Energy
Power
1990
102 569
11 821
2000
117 687
15 395
2005
133 602
18 258
2008
143 851
20 181
Source: IEA/OECD

The United States Energy Information Administration regularly publishes a report on world
consumption for most types of primary energy resources. According to IEA total world
energy supply was 102,569 TWh (1990); 117,687 TWh (2000); 133,602 TWh (2005) and
143,851 TWh (2008). World power generation was 11,821 TWh (1990); 15,395 TWh (2000);
18,258 TWh (2005) and 20,181 TWh (2008). Compared to power supply 20,181 TWh the
power end use was only 16,819 TWh in 2008 including EU27: 2 857 TWh, China 2 883 TWh
and USA 4 533 TWh. In 2008 energy use per person was in the USA 4.1 fold, EU 1.9 fold
and Middle East 1.6 fold the world average and in China 87% and India 30% of the world
average.[14]
In 2008 energy supply by power source was oil 33.5%, coal 26.8%, gas 20.8% (fossil 81%),
'other' (hydro, peat, solar, wind, geothermal power, biofuels etc.) 12.9%, and nuclear 5.8%.
Oil was the most popular energy fuel. Oil and coal combined represented over 60% of the
world energy supply in 2008.
Since the annual energy supply increase has been high, e.g. 20072008 4,461 TWh,
compared to the total nuclear power end use 2,731 TWh[15][16] environmental activists, like
Greenpeace, support increase of energy efficiency and renewable energy capacity. These are
also more and more addressed in the international agreements and national Energy Action
Plans, like the EU 2009 Renewable Energy Directive and corresponding national plans. The
global renewable energy supply increased from 2000 to 2008 in total 3,155 TWh, also more
than the nuclear power use 2,731 TWh in 2008.[17] The energy resources below show the
extensive reserves of renewable energy.
Energy by power source 2008[15]
TWh
%

Oil
Coal
Gas
Nuclear
Hydro
Other RE*
Others
Total

48 204
38 497
30 134
8 283
3 208
15 284
241
143 851

33.5%
26.8%
20.9%
5.8%
2.2%
10.6%
0.2%
100%

Source: IEA *`=solar, wind, geothermal and biofuels

Regional energy use (kWh/cap.)[8][9]

kWh/capita Population (mil)
1990 2008 1990
2008
USA
89 021 87 216
305
EU-27
40 240 40 821
Middle East 19 422 34 774
199
China
8 839 18 608
1 333
Latin America 11 281 14 421
462
Africa
7 094 7 792
984
India
4 419 6 280
1 140
The World
19 421 21 283
6 688
Source: IEA/OECD, Population OECD/World Bank

Fuel type
Oil
Gas
Coal
Hydroelectric
Nuclear power
Geothermal, wind,
solar energy, wood
Total

Average power in TW[18]

1980
2004
2006
4.38
5.58
5.74
1.80
3.45
3.61
2.34
3.87
4.27
0.60
0.93
1.00
0.25
0.91
0.93
0.02

0.13

0.16

9.48

15.0

15.8

Source: The USA Energy Information Administration

[edit] Fossil fuels

Main article: Fossil fuel
The twentieth century saw a rapid twentyfold increase in the use of fossil fuels. Between
1980 and 2006, the worldwide annual growth rate was 2%.[1] According to the US Energy
Information Administration's 2006 estimate, the estimated 471.8 EJ total consumption in
2004 was divided as given in the table above, with fossil fuels supplying 86% of the world's
energy:

Coal fueled the industrial revolution in the 18th and 19th century. With the advent of the
automobile, airplanes and the spreading use of electricity, oil became the dominant fuel
during the twentieth century. The growth of oil as the largest fossil fuel was further enabled
by steadily dropping prices from 1920 until 1973. After the oil shocks of 1973 and 1979,
during which the price of oil increased from 5 to 45 US dollars per barrel, there was a shift
away from oil.[19] Coal, natural gas, and nuclear became the fuels of choice for electricity
generation and conservation measures increased energy efficiency. In the U.S. the average
car more than doubled the number of miles per gallon. Japan, which bore the brunt of the oil
shocks, made spectacular improvements and now has the highest energy efficiency in the
world.[20] From 1965 to 2008, the use of fossil fuels has continued to grow and their share of
the energy supply has increased. From 2003 to 2008, coal was the fastest growing fossil
fuel.[21]
[edit] Coal
Regional coal supply (TWh), share 2010 (%) and share of change 20002010[22][23]
Change
2000
2008
2009* 2010*
%*
20002009*
North America
6,654
6,740
6,375
6,470
16%
-1.2%
Asia excl. China
5,013
7,485
7,370
7,806
19%
18.9%
China
7,318 16,437 18,449 19,928
48%
85.5%
EU
3,700
3,499
3,135
3,137
8%
-3.8%
Africa
1,049
1,213
1,288
1,109
3%
0.4%
Russia
1,387
1,359
994
1,091
3%
-2.0%
Others
1,485
1,763
1,727
1,812
4%
2.2%
Total
26,607 38,497 39,340 41,354 100%
100%
Source: IEA, *in 2009, 2010 BP*
Change 20002009: Region's share of the world change +12,733 TWh from 2000 to 2009

In 2000 coal was used in China 28%, other Asia 19%, North America 25% and the EU 14%.
In 2009 the share of China was 47%.[22]
Single most coal using country is China. It's share of the world coal production was 28% in
2000 and 48% in 2009. Coal use in the world increased 48% from 2000 to 2009. In practice
majority of this growth occurred in China and the rest in other Asia.[22]
Top 10 coal exporters (Mt)[24]
2010 Share %
1 Australia
298 34.8%
2 Indonesia
162 18.9%
3 Russia
89 10.4%
4 Colombia
68
7.9%
5 South Africa 68
7.9%
6 US
57
6.7%
7 Kazakhstan
33
3.9%
8 Canada
24
2.8%

9 Vietnam
10 Mongolia
Others
Total
Top ten

21
17
19
856
837

2.5%
2.0%
2.2%
100%
97.8%

[edit] Gas
Regional gas supply (TWh) and share 2010 (%)[23][25]
2000 2008 2009* 2010* %
North America
7,621 7,779 8,839 8,925 27%
Asia excl. China 2,744 4,074 4,348 4,799 14%
China
270
825 1,015 1,141 3%
EU
4,574 5,107 4,967 5,155 16%
Africa
612
974 1,455 1,099 3%
Russia
3,709 4,259 4,209 4,335 13%
Latin America
1,008 1,357
958
nd
nd
Others
3,774 5,745 6,047 7,785 23%
Total
24,312 30,134 31,837 33,240 100%
Source: IEA, in 2009, 2010 BP

In 2009 the world use of gas was 131% compared to year 2000. 66% of the this growth was
outside EU, North America Latin America and Russia. Others include Middle East, Asia and
Africa. The gas supply increased also in the previous regions: 8.6% in the EU and 16% in the
North America 20002009.[25]

[edit] Nuclear power

As of December 2009, the world had 436 reactors.[26] Since commercial nuclear energy began
in the mid 1950s, 2008 was the first year that no new nuclear power plant was connected to
the grid, although two were connected in 2009.[26][27]
Annual generation of nuclear power has been on a slight downward trend since 2007,
decreasing 1.8% in 2009 to 2558 TWh with nuclear power meeting 1314% of the world's
electricity demand.[28]

[edit] Renewable energy

Main article: Renewable energy
Renewable energy comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and
geothermal heat, which are renewable (naturally replenished). As of 2010, about 16% of
global final energy consumption comes from renewables, with 10% coming from traditional
biomass, which is mainly used for heating, and 3.4% from hydroelectricity. New renewables
(small hydro, modern biomass, wind, solar, geothermal, and biofuels) accounted for another
2.8% and are growing very rapidly.[29] The share of renewables in electricity generation is

around 19%, with 16% of global electricity coming from hydroelectricity and 3% from new
renewables.[30]
[edit] Hydroelectricity
Main article: hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity is the term referring to electricity generated by hydropower; the production
of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. It is
the most widely used form of renewable energy, accounting for 16 percent of global
electricity consumption, and 3,427 terawatt-hours of electricity production in 2010, which
continues the rapid rate of increase experienced between 2003 and 2009.[31]
Hydropower is produced in 150 countries, with the Asia-Pacific region generating 32 percent
of global hydropower in 2010. China is the largest hydroelectricity producer, with 721
terawatt-hours of production in 2010, representing around 17 percent of domestic electricity
use. There are now three hydroelectricity plants larger than 10 GW: the Three Gorges Dam in
China, Itaipu Dam in Brazil, and Guri Dam in Venezuela.[31]
[edit] Wind power

Wind power: worldwide installed capacity (not actual power generation)[32]

Main article: Wind power
Wind power is growing at the rate of 30% annually, with a worldwide installed capacity of
238,351 megawatts (MW) at the end of 2011,[33][34][35] and is widely used in Europe, Asia,
and the United States.[36][37] Several countries have achieved relatively high levels of wind
power penetration, such as 21% of stationary electricity production in Denmark,[38] 18% in
Portugal,[38] 16% in Spain,[38] 14% in Ireland[39] and 9% in Germany in 2010.[38][40] As of
2011, 83 countries around the world are using wind power on a commercial basis.[40]
[edit] Solar energy
Solar energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, has been harnessed by humans since ancient
times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar energy technologies include solar
heating, solar photovoltaics, solar thermal electricity and solar architecture, which can make
considerable contributions to solving some of the most urgent problems the world now faces.
The International Energy Agency projected that solar power could provide "a third of the
global final energy demand after 2060, while CO2 emissions would be reduced to very low
levels."[41]
Solar technologies are broadly characterized as either passive solar or active solar depending
on the way they capture, convert and distribute solar energy. Active solar techniques include

the use of photovoltaic panels and solar thermal collectors to harness the energy. Passive
solar techniques include orienting a building to the Sun, selecting materials with favorable
thermal mass or light dispersing properties, and designing spaces that naturally circulate air.
[edit] Geothermal
Geothermal energy is used commercially in over 70 countries.[42] In the year 2004, 200 PJ (57
TWh) of electricity was generated from geothermal resources, and an additional 270 PJ of
geothermal energy was used directly, mostly for space heating. In 2007, the world had a
global capacity for 10 GW of electricity generation and an additional 28 GW of direct
heating, including extraction by geothermal heat pumps.[43][44] Heat pumps are small and
widely distributed, so estimates of their total capacity are uncertain and range up to
100 GW.[42]
[edit] Biomass and biofuels
Until the beginning of the nineteenth century biomass was the predominant fuel, today it has
only a small share of the overall energy supply. Electricity produced from biomass sources
was estimated at 44 GW for 2005. Biomass electricity generation increased by over 100% in
Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain. A further 220 GW was used for
heating (in 2004), bringing the total energy consumed from biomass to around 264 GW. The
use of biomass fires for cooking is excluded.[43]
World production of bioethanol increased by 8% in 2005 to reach 33 billion litres (8.72
billion US gallons), with most of the increase in the United States, bringing it level to the
levels of consumption in Brazil.[43] Biodiesel increased by 85% to 3.9 billion litres (1.03
billion US gallons), making it the fastest growing renewable energy source in 2005. Over
50% is produced in Germany.[43]

[edit] By country
Energy consumption is loosely correlated with gross national product and climate, but there is
a large difference even between the most highly developed countries, such as Japan and
Germany with an energy consumption rate of 6 kW per person and the United States with an
energy consumption rate of 11.4 kW per person. In developing countries, particularly those
that are sub-tropical or tropical such as India, the per person energy use rate is closer to
0.7 kW. Bangladesh has the lowest consumption rate with 0.2 kW per person.

A map depicting world energy consumption per capita based on 2003 data from the IEA.

Energy consumption from 1989 to 1999

The US consumes 25% of the world's energy with a share of global GDP at 22% and a share
of the world population at 4.59%.[45] The most significant growth of energy consumption is
currently taking place in China, which has been growing at 5.5% per year over the last 25
years. Its population of 1.3 billion people (19.6% of the world population[45]) is consuming
energy at a rate of 1.6 kW per person.
One measurement of efficiency is energy intensity. This is a measure of the amount of energy
it takes a country to produce a dollar of gross domestic product.

[edit] Oil
Top 10 oil producers (Mt)[46]
Share
2010
1 Russia
470 485 494 502 13%
2 Saudi Arabia 519 509 452 471 12%
3 US
307 300 320 336 8%
4 Iran
205 214 206 227 6%
5 China
183 190 194 200 5%
6 Canada
143 155 152 159 4%
7 Venezuela
162 137 126 149 4%
8 Mexico
188 159 146 144 4%
9 UAE
nd 136 120 129 3%
10 Nigeria
133
nd
nd 130 3%
x Kuwait
nd 145 124
nd
nd
x Norway
139
nd
nd
nd
nd
Total
3,923 3,941 3,843 3,973 100%
Top ten
62% 62% 61% 62% 62%
2005 2008 2009 2010

[edit] Coal
Top 10 coal producers (Mt)[46]
Share %
2010
2,226 2,761 2,971 3,162
44%
1,028 1,076 985 997
14%
2005 2008 2009 2010

1 China
2 US

3 India
430 521 561 571
4 Australia
372 397 399 420
5 Indonesia
318 284 301 336
6 South Africa 315 236 247 255
7 Russia
222 323 297 324
8 Kazakhstan
79 108 101 111
9 Poland
160 144 135 134
10 Colombia
65
79
73 74
Total
5,878 6,796 6,903 7,229
Top ten
89% 87% 88% 88%

8%
6%
5%
4%
4%
2%
2%
1%
100%
88%

* include hard coal and brown coal

Top 10 hard coal importers (Mt)[46]

2005 2008 2009 2010
1 Japan
178 186 165 187
2 China
25 nd 114 157
3 South Korea
77 100 103 119
4 India
37 58 66 88
5 Taiwan
61 66 60 63
6 Germany
38 46 38 45
7 Turkey
nd 19 20 27
8 UK
44 43 38 26
9 Italy
24 25 19 22
10 Malaysia
nd nd nd 19
x Spain
25 19 16 nd
x France
nd 21 nd nd
x US
28 nd nd nd
Total
778 778 819 949
Top ten
69% 75% 78% 79%
Import of production 16% 13% 14% 15%

[edit] Natural gas

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Top 10 natural gas producers (bcm)[46]

Share
2005 2008 2009 2010
2010
Russia
627 657 589 637 19.4%
US
517 583 594 613 18.7%
Canada
187 175 159 160 4.9%
Iran
84 121 144 145 4.4%
Qatar
nd
79
89 121 3.7%
Norway
90 103 106 107 3.3%
China
nd
76
90
97 3.0%

8 Netherlands
79
85
79
89
9 Indonesia
77
77
76
88
10 Saudi Arabia
70
nd
nd
82
x Algeria
93
82
81
nd
x UK
93
nd
nd
nd
Total
2,872 3,149 3,101 3,282
Top ten
67% 65% 65% 65%

2.7%
2.7%
2.5%
nd
nd
100%
65%

bcm = billion cubic meters

Top 10 natural gas importers (bcm)[46]

Share
2005 2008 2009 2010
2010
1 Japan
81 95 93 99 12.1%
2 Germany
91 79 83 83 10.1%
3 Italy
73 77 69 75 9.1%
4 US
121 84 76 74 9.0%
5 France
47 44 45 46 5.6%
6 South Korea
29 36 33 43 5.2%
7 Ukraine
62 53 38 37 4.5%
8 Turkey
27 36 35 37 4.5%
9 UK
nd 26 29 37 4.5%
10 Spain
33 39 34 36 4.4%
x Netherlands
23 nd nd nd
nd
Total
838 783 749 820 100%
Top ten
70% 73% 71% 69% 69%
Import of production 29% 25% 24% 25% 25%
bcm = billion cubic meters

[edit] By sector
World energy use per sector[47]
2000 2008 2000 2008
TWh
%*
Industry
21,733 27,273 26.5 27.8
Transport
22,563 26,742 27.5 27.3
Residential and service 30,555 35,319 37.3 36.0
Non-energy use
7,119 8,688 8.7 8.9
Total*
81,970 98,022 100 100
Source: IEA 2010, Total is calculated from the given sectors
Numbers are the end use of energy
Total world energy supply (2008) 143,851 TWh

Industrial users (agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and construction) consume about 37%
of the total 15 TW. Personal and commercial transportation consumes 20%; residential

heating, lighting, and appliances use 11%; and commercial uses (lighting, heating and
cooling of commercial buildings, and provision of water and sewer services) amount to 5% of
the total.[48]
The other 27% of the world's energy is lost in energy transmission and generation. In 2005,
global electricity consumption averaged 2 TW. The energy rate used to generate 2 TW of
electricity is approximately 5 TW, as the efficiency of a typical existing power plant is
around 38%.[49] The new generation of gas-fired plants reaches a substantially higher
efficiency of 55%. Coal is the most common fuel for the world's electricity plants.[50]
Total world energy use per sector was in 2008 industry 28%, transport 27% and residential
and service 36%. Division was about the same in the year 2000.[47]

[edit] European Union

The European Environmental Agency (EEA) measures final energy consumption (does not
include energy used in production and lost in transportation) and finds that the transport
sector is responsible for 31.5% of final energy consumption, industry 27.6%, households
25.9%, services 11.4% and agriculture 3.7%.[51] The use of energy is responsible for the
majority of greenhouse gas emissions (79%), with the energy sector representing 31%,
transport 19%, industry 13%, households 9% and others 7%.[52]
While efficient energy and resource efficiency are growing as public policy issues, more than
70% of coal plants in the European Union are more than 20 years old and operate at an
efficiency level of between 3240%.[53] Technological developments in the 1990s have
allowed efficiencies in the range of 4045% at newer plants.[53] However, according to an
impact assessment by the European Commission, this is still below the best available
technological (BAT) efficiency levels of 4649%.[53] With gas-fired power plants the average
efficiency is 52% compared to 5859% with best available technology (BAT), and gas and
oil boiler plants operate at average 36% efficiency (BAT delivers 47%).[53] According to that
same impact assessment by the European Commission, raising the efficiency of all new
plants and the majority of existing plants, through the setting of authorisation and permit
conditions, to an average generation efficiency of 51.5% in 2020 would lead to a reduction in
annual consumption of 15 billion m3 of natural gas and 25 Mt of coal.[53]

[edit] Alternative energy paths

Denmark and Germany have started to make investments in solar energy, despite their
unfavorable geographic locations. Germany is now the largest consumer of photovoltaic cells
in the world. Denmark and Germany have installed 3 GW and 17 GW of wind power
respectively. In 2005, wind generated 18.5% of all the electricity in Denmark.[54] Brazil
invests in ethanol production from sugar cane, which is now a significant part of the
transportation fuel in that country. Starting in 1965, France made large investments in nuclear
power and to this date three quarters (75%) of its electricity comes from nuclear reactors.[55]
Switzerland is planning to cut its energy consumption by more than half to become a 2000watt society by 2050 and the United Kingdom is working towards a zero energy building
standard for all new housing by 2016.