Energy mix projections

  • Oil and natural gas remain the largest energy sources.
  • Electricity use grows in all sectors, with generation from solar and wind growing the fastest.
  • Coal is displaced by lower-emission sources, including both renewables and natural gas.
  • Commercial transportation and industrial feedstocks drive continued demand for oil.

2050 insights

Oil and natural gas remain the largest energy sources, while lower-carbon energy will meet more of the world’s needs.

  • The biggest shift will be the rise of renewables and the decline in coal.

Global energy demand by fuel

Primary energy- Quadrillion Btu

Image Global energy demand by fuel

*Electricity and hydrogen are secondary energies derived from the primary energies shown.

End use energy demand

Quadrillion Btu

Image End use energy demand

The energy mix varies by the end-use sectors.

  • Electricity grows in all sectors. Electrification of industrial equipment and vehicles can improve their efficiency, and modern buildings around the world use electricity for heating, cooling, and convenient appliances.
  • Oil and natural gas remain essential for industry, serving as both a source of high heat needed for manufacturing and a feedstock for chemical production.
  • Oil also remains significant in transportation, even as electricity and biofuels gain share. Liquids fuels are energy-dense, which is critical for commercial transportation modes such as aviation, marine, and heavy trucking.

End use power generation mix

Image End use power generation mix
Renewables grow in share of electricity generation while natural gas continues to contribute ~20%.

Oil demand (excluding biofuels)

Million barrels per day

Image Oil demand (excluding biofuels)

Natural gas demand

Billion cubic feet per day

Image Natural gas demand
Commercial transport and chemicals drive oil demand while industrial activity and electricity generation drive demand for natural gas.

Global energy mix

Quadrillion Btu

Image Global energy mix
*Non-biomass renewables includes hydro, wind, solar, and geothermal
Source (see reference list): 2023 IEA World Energy Outlook; IPCC: AR6 Scenarios Database hosted by International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) release 1.0 average.
IPCC C3: "Likely Below 2°C" scenarios
While the future energy mix has many potential outcomes, all credible scenarios require the full suite of energy sources to meet projected global demand.

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Energy demand drivers

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Energy demand trends

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Energy transition progress

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