After several years of little variation, total energy supply (TES) in the OECD fell 6% -- or 14 EJ -- in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The size of the decrease was larger than the amount of energy used annually in countries such as Germany and Canada, and brought OECD supply back to the levels of around 1996.

Annual change in total energy supply, OECD, 2014-2020

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The OECD’s 2020 TES was 210 EJ, representing almost two fifths of global energy supply.

The pattern differed across countries: five countries reduced TES by over 10% (Luxembourg, Colombia, Greece, Spain and France), while three countries increased TES (Norway, Australia and Turkey), with Norway rising as much as 4%. In general, the decline was less pronounced in OECD Asia and Oceania (Korea: -2%, Japan: -4%) compared to OECD Europe and Americas (the United States: -8%).

Use of coal and oil products declined more strongly (-14% and -10%, respectively) than that of gas and renewables (-2% and +2%).

Electricity generation fell by almost 270 TWh in 2020 (-2%), a smaller decrease than total TES. As coal continued to decline, renewables’ share in electricity generation hit 30% for the first time, closing the gap with gas (31%).

Electricity generation by source, OECD, 2000-2020

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Before the pandemic, OECD total final consumption (TFC) was steady in 2019, reaching 159 EJ. However, there was considerable change in the mix relative to the previous year; with consumption of gas and oil products little changed in 2019, while coal products declined (-7%) from the previous year and renewables grew strongly (+14%).

Total final consumption by sector, OECD, 1971-2019

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In transport, the largest consuming sector at over a third of TFC, oil remained dominant (92%), despite the rapid growth of biofuels after 2000. Electricity remained fairly stable on a year-on-year basis.

Final consumption by sector and source, OECD, 2018

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