World energy use since 1970: An overview

Book · Thu Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:138795

World primary energy use, including biomass, grew by over one-third between 1970 and 1990. The average increase over these two decades of 2.3% per year hides periods of growth and stagnation. World energy use was steady in the 1974-1975 and 1980-1983 periods as a result of response to higher energy prices and slowing of economic activity; but growth continued after each period of stagnation as real oil prices declined and economic growth resumed. Between 1983 and 1989, growth in world energy use was rather steady, averaging 2.8% per year. There was little increase in 1990, however, due to a slowing in the OECD countries and a sharp drop in the Former East Bloc. Most of the increase in energy use since 1970, and especially since 1973, has been in the LDCs. Their share of the total grew from 20% in 1970 to 31% in 1990. (Not counting biofuels, the LDC share would be about 27%.) The share of the OECD countries fell from 60% to 48%, while the share of the Former East Bloc rose slgihtly from 20% to 21% (in part because these countries were insulated from the effect of higher oil prices). The average annual growth in energy use between 1970 and 1990 was 1.3% in the OECD countries, 2.4% in the Former East Bloc, and 4.5% in the LDCs. The evolution of world energy use by type is shown. The share of oil has declined from 41% to 36%, but total oil consumption in 1990 was over one-third higher than in 1970. The share of natural gas has grown from 17% to 20%. Coal has fallen from 28% to 25%, but total consumption has grown slightly. Nuclear energy, which accounted for 5% of total energy use in 1990, has seen the most rapid growth. The share of biomass has remained at about 8%, as an increase in share in the OECD countries has been balanced by a decline in the LDCs (from 32% to 20%). 5 refs., 10 figs.

• OSTI ID: 138795
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
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AGRICULTURE
ASIA
BIOMASS
CHINA
COAL
COMMERCIAL SECTOR
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
EASTERN EUROPE
ENERGY
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
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