Azernews.Az

By Trend

Global energy consumption in 2018 increased at nearly twice the average rate of growth since 2010, driven by a robust global economy and higher heating and cooling needs in some parts of the world, Trend reports citing the Global Energy & CO2 Status Report of the International Energy Agency (IEA).

"Demand for all fuels increased, led by natural gas, even as solar and wind posted double-digit growth. Higher electricity demand was responsible for over half of the growth in energy needs. Energy efficiency saw lacklustre improvement. As a result of higher energy consumption, CO2 emissions rose 1.7 percent last year and hit a new record," reads the report.

Energy consumption worldwide grew by 2.3 percent in 2018, nearly twice the average rate of growth since 2010, driven by a robust global economy as well as higher heating and cooling needs in some parts of the world, according to IEA.

The report shows that the biggest gains came from natural gas, which emerged as the fuel of choice last year, accounting for nearly 45 percent of the increase in total energy demand. Demand for all fuels rose, with fossil fuels meeting nearly 70 percent of the growth for the second year running.