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China Key Figures

Population:
1412 million
GDP growth rate:
2.99 %/year
Energy independence:
82.7%

Data of the last year available: 2022

Total consumption/GDP:*
58.8 (2005=100)
CO2 Emissions:
7.68 tCO2/capita
Rate of T&D power losses:
4.09%

* at purchasing power parity

View all macro and energy indicators in the China energy report

China Related Research

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A data overview is available in the global energy statistics app

Total Energy Consumption

Total energy consumption per capita is increasing regularly, reaching 2.7 toe/cap in 2022 (nearly 4 times that for India). Electricity consumption per capita increased by over 4% to around 5 800 kWh in 2022, more than twice the 2010 levels.

Graph: CONSUMPTION TRENDS BY ENERGY SOURCE (Mtoe)

Interactive Chart China Total Energy Consumption

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View the detailed fondamentals of the market at country level (graphs, tables, analysis) in the China energy report

Crude Oil Production

Oil production has been increasing since 2018 (+2%/year), reaching 216 Mt in 2022. It declined by 3.2%/year between 2015 and 2018, after increasing by 2%/year between 2000 and 2015. Most of the production is onshore and located in the fields close to the north-eastern coast. Offshore production is in full development, with the Bohai basin being one of the most active areas.

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Oil Products Consumption

The consumption of oil products increased rapidly between 2010 and 2021 (+4%/year on average) and slowed down in 2022 (+1%) to around 690 Mt.

In 2022, the share of the transport sector remained stable at 42%; the second largest energy consuming sector is industry (including non-energy uses) with around 37%.

Graph: OIL CONSUMPTION (Mt)

Graph: OIL CONSUMPTION BREAKDOWN BY SECTOR (2022, %)

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Natural Gas Consumption

Natural gas consumption decreased slightly in 2022 to 364 bcm (-1%), after 12% growth in 2021, which was in line with the 2010-2019 trend. Despite the effects of the pandemic, gas consumption grew by 6% in 2020.

Industry represented 43% of gas demand in 2022, followed by the residential and services sector (20%), the power sector (19%), and transport (9%).

Graph: NATURAL GAS CONSUMPTION (bcm)

Graph: GAS CONSUMPTION BREAKDOWN BY SECTOR (2022, %)

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Coal Consumption

Coal and lignite consumption recovered noticeably in 2021 and 2022 (+4.6% and +7.3%, respectively), surpassing 4.5 Gt, after moderate growth between 2017 and 2020 (1%/year) and a decrease from 2014 to 2016 (-1.9%/year). It increased very rapidly between 2000 and 2013 (+9%/year).

The power sector is the largest user of coal and lignite in 2022, with 67%, followed by industry (24%). The share of the power sector has been increasing continually (45% in 2000 and 49% in 2010).

Graph: COAL CONSUMPTION (Mt)

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View the detailed consumption trends at country level (graphs, tables, analysis) in the China energy report

Power Consumption

Electricity consumption rose by 4% in 2022 to 8 220 TWh, after a 10% jump in 2021. Consumption increased by 7%/year over 2010-2021.

Industry is the main consumer (55% in 2022), followed by services and residential (20% and 17%, respectively).

Graph: ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION (TWh)

Graph: ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION BREAKDOWN BY SECTOR (2022,%)

Renewable in % Electricity Production

With the 14th FYP, the country intends to get 20% of its total energy consumption from non-fossil fuels in 2025 (14% in 2021). The target of 15% of renewables in total energy consumption in 2020 was not reached (only 10%) ("Guiding Opinions on Establishing Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards", NEA, 2016). In 2018, the NDRC also set a target of a 9% share of non-hydro renewables in electricity consumption for 2020 and 35% in 2030 (11% reached in 2020 and 13% in 2022).

Interactive Chart China Share of Renewables in Electricity Production (incl hydro)

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Learn more about renewables in the Mini grid Africa & Asia markets for village electrification

CO2 Fuel Combustion/CO2 Emissions

In its updated NDC (2021), China set more ambitious targets for 2030: reaching a CO2 emission peak before 2030, lowering its CO2 intensity by over 65% (from 2005 levels), and eventually reaching carbon neutrality before 2060. It aims to cut the average coal consumption rate in power plants to 300g/kWh between 2020 and 2025.