Paris, March 24 (QNA) - Global energy demand grew at a faster-than-average pace in 2024 as the consumption of electricity rose around the world, according to a new International Energy Agency (IEA) report.

In the latest edition of the IEA's Global Energy Review, published today, the report finds that global energy demand rose by 2.2% last year but considerably faster than the average annual demand increase of 1.3% between 2013 and 2023.

The sharp increase in the world's electricity use last year was driven by record global temperatures, which boosted demand for cooling in many countries, as well as by rising consumption from industry, the electrification of transport, and the growth of data centres and artificial intelligence.

Oil's share of total energy demand fell below 30% for the first time ever, 50 years after it peaked at 46%.

IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said: "What is certain is that electricity use is growing rapidly, pulling overall energy demand along with it to such an extent that it is enough to reverse years of declining energy consumption in advanced economies." 80% of the increase in global electricity generation in 2024 was provided by renewable sources and nuclear, which together contributed 40% of total generation for the first time.

Gas demand rose by 115 billion cubic metres (bcm), or 2.7%, compared with an average of around 75 bcm annually over the past decade. (QNA)