Coal growth overshadows record 2013 for renewables

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Renewable energy accounted for a record share of global energy consumption last year, but so too did coal, hitting its highest level since 1970.

According to oil giant BP’s annual energy review, renewables accounted for 2.7% of global consumption last year, up from 0.8% a decade ago.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

Solar was the fastest growing technology in the renewables class, growing by 33% compared to wind’s 20.7% in 2013.

Overall, renewables accounted for over 5.3% of global power generation.

But despite the success of renewables in gaining ground, coal use is also growing, according to BP.

Last year, the 3% increase in coal consumption made it the world’s fastest-growing fossil fuel, driven largely by increased use in developing regions.

Overall, it accounted for 30.1% of total primary energy consumption, the highest proportion since 1970, suggesting a prioritisation of cheap rather than clean sources of energy.

BP said the biggest challenge for renewables was to sustain subsidies in areas where penetration is highest but economic growth sluggish, particularly European countries.

Read Next

July 8, 2025
The Chinese government has moved to curb excessive competition in the PV sector and stabilise pricing as companies report growing losses.
July 8, 2025
Germany could install 500GW of new solar agrivoltaics (agriPV) capacity on its most 'suitable' land, according to Fraunhofer ISE.
July 8, 2025
Bulgarian-headquartered solar engineering company Sunotec has acquired 100% of the project company, SIA DSE Lazas Solar, from Danish Sun Energy. 
July 8, 2025
Donald Trump has issued an executive order to tighten restrictions on renewable energy tax credits just days after signing his “One, Big Beautiful Bill” act into law, which significantly cut federal support for renewables.
July 8, 2025
German solar glass manufacturer Glasmanufaktur Brandenburg (GMB) has filed for insolvency after posting monthly losses of €900,000 this year.
July 8, 2025
Energy consultancy JMK Research has forecast 28.3GW of utility-scale and residential solar PV to be installed in India during fiscal year 2026.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 22, 2025
Bilbao, Spain
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK