Global energy consumption grew 2.2 percent last year, and marked the fastest growth since 2013, according to British Petroleum's (BP) Statistical Review of World Energy 2018 report released on Wednesday.
Energy consumption rose by 3.1 percent in China last year from the previous year, while this country has also become the largest growth market for energy for the 17th consecutive year, according to the report.
"By fuel, natural gas accounted for the largest increment in energy consumption, followed by renewables and then oil," the report said.
Natural gas consumption rose by 3 percent last year, from the previous year. This marked the fastest rate since 2010.
Consumption growth in natural gas was driven by China, and followed by the Middle East and Europe. The U.S.' natural gas consumption fell by 1.2 percent year-over-year, the report noted.
Production of natural gas in the world rose by 4 percent last year from the year before, according to the report. Highest growth in natural gas production came from Russia, and then followed by Iran, it said.
- Coal consumption marks first growth since 2013
Coal consumption increased by 1 percent in 2017, from the year before, and this marked the first annual growth since 2013, the report said.
Consumption growth in coal was driven largely by India, and followed by China, it added.
Coal production in the world also grew by 3.2 percent last year -- the fastest rate of growth since 2011.
However, "Coal’s share in primary energy fell to 27.6 percent, the lowest since 2004," the report said.
- Renewable power up by 17 percent
The report said renewable power grew by 17 percent last year from the year before.
While wind provided more than half of the growth in renewables, solar contributed to more than one-third in renewable energy, according to the report.
Hydroelectric power rose by 0.9 percent in 2017, while nuclear generation grew by 1.1 percent.
By Ovunc Kutlu in New York
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr