Primary direct energy consumption by source in China
China: Primary direct energy consumption by source was 8,964 terawatt-hours in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Primary direct energy consumption by source in China, 1965–2024
Source: Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in terawatt-hours.
Analysis
China recorded 8,964 terawatt-hours for primary direct energy consumption by source in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 1.4% on the previous year and up 45.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, primary direct energy consumption by source in China peaked at 9,091 terawatt-hours in 2023 and was at its lowest, 129.06 terawatt-hours, in 1965.
That places China 2nd out of 79 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 175.53 terawatt-hours | 129.06 terawatt-hours | 240.04 terawatt-hours | 5 |
| 1970s | 751.66 terawatt-hours | 332.05 terawatt-hours | 1,079 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 1980s | 1,045 terawatt-hours | 911.75 terawatt-hours | 1,288 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 1990s | 1,830 terawatt-hours | 1,275 terawatt-hours | 2,437 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2000s | 3,648 terawatt-hours | 2,627 terawatt-hours | 4,580 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2010s | 6,435 terawatt-hours | 5,214 terawatt-hours | 7,892 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2020s | 8,477 terawatt-hours | 7,960 terawatt-hours | 9,091 terawatt-hours | 5 |
Countries ranked near China
- 1 United States 9,949 terawatt-hours compare
- 3 India 3,029 terawatt-hours compare
- 4 Russia 2,129 terawatt-hours compare
- 5 Saudi Arabia 2,048 terawatt-hours compare
More energy & mining data for China
- Fuel imports 20.4% (2024)
- Ores and metals imports 15.1% (2024)
- Ores and metals exports 1.5% (2024)
- Gas production 2,641 terawatt-hours (2025)
- Fossil fuel production per person, by fuel 1,865 kilowatt-hours per person (2025)
- Fossil fuel production by fuel 2,641 terawatt-hours (2025)
- Gas production per person 1,865 kilowatt-hours per person (2025)
- Fuel exports 1.5% (2024)
- Electric power transmission and distribution losses 3.4% (2023)
- Share of dietary energy supply from carbohydrates vs. GDP per capita 59.5% (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is primary direct energy consumption by source in China?
- Primary direct energy consumption by source in China was 8,964 terawatt-hours in 2024, according to Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest primary direct energy consumption by source recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 9,091 terawatt-hours in 2023.
- What is the lowest primary direct energy consumption by source recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 129.06 terawatt-hours in 1965.
- How does China rank for primary direct energy consumption by source?
- China ranks 2nd out of 79 countries with data for 2024.
- Is primary direct energy consumption by source rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 45.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Primary direct energy consumption by source. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 60 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Energy consumption is measured in terawatt-hours, in terms of direct primary energy. This means that fossil fuels include the energy lost due to inefficiencies in energy production.