Solar power production saw a significant surge in Latvia during the year 2024, with a notable 100% increase recorded.
In the year 2024, the final energy consumption remained relatively stable at 166 petajoules (PJ), with no significant changes over the past decade. This consistency, however, masks some interesting shifts in specific sectors.
One such shift is the decrease in gross energy consumption in transport, which dropped to 47.1 PJ in 2024 from 49.6 PJ in the previous year. This decline was driven by a decrease in petrol consumption and a drop in the use of diesel oil, kerosene-type jet fuel, and liquefied petroleum gases in transport.
Interestingly, the increase in electricity consumption specifically for road transport in 2024 compared to 2023 appears to be relatively modest. In the U.S., electricity demand from light-duty electric vehicles (EVs) rose to 11 TWh in 2024, accounting for just 3% of the total electricity demand increase of 128 TWh that year. This suggests a small but notable contribution of EVs to electricity demand growth.
In the UK, the transport sector's overall energy consumption rose by 2.9% in 2024 compared to 2023, with a slight rise in road transport consumption (mainly petrol and diesel), but no specific quantified figure for electricity consumption in road transport is provided.
Regarding total electricity production from renewable sources, the data shows an increase in 2024 to meet demand growth and replace coal generation. The exact percentage increases are not explicitly given, but renewable generation (solar, wind, hydro) grew along with overall electricity demand in 2024 in the U.S.
The electrification of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles will require expanded generation capacity, preferably from renewable sources. Existing hydroelectric generation alone is insufficient, indicating a need for further renewable investments. Globally, electricity demand is projected to continue growing around 3% per year, supported by increases in renewable capacity in line with decarbonization goals.
In addition to transport, electricity consumption in households exceeded 1740 GWh in 2024, surpassing the levels of 2022 and 2023. The increase in natural gas consumption for household heating also rose by 8 percentage points year-on-year in 2024.
However, the electricity generation from hydropower declined by 15.4 percentage points year-on-year and fell to 3210 GWh in 2024. The electricity generation from wind power remained largely unchanged at 276 GWh in 2024. The total volume of electricity produced from renewable sources amounted to 4643 GWh in 2024, representing a 73% share of the total electricity production.
Combined heat and power plants generated an additional 621.3 GWh of electricity from renewable energy sources in 2024. The decline in hydropower generation, coupled with the steady wind power generation, suggests a need for diversification in renewable energy sources to ensure a sustainable and reliable energy supply.
In summary, the data shows a small but growing role for electricity in road transport and an accompanying increase in renewable electricity production in 2024. However, precise comparative percentage increases for renewables production are not directly provided in the search results. The decline in hydropower generation and the steady wind power generation indicate a need for diversification in renewable energy sources to ensure a sustainable and reliable energy supply.
- The European Union (EU) aims to support the transport industry's shift towards renewable energy to combat climate change, providing financial incentives for the development and implementation of cleaner technologies.
- In the field of environmental science, there is a growing emphasis on the role of science and technology in promoting energy efficiency and sustainability in industries, with a focus on reducing carbon emissions and minimizing environmental impact.
- To meet the increasing electricity demand from renewable sources, the industry must invest in expanding generation capacity, prioritizing the development of wind and solar power, and diverting funds away from fossil fuel-based energy production.
- As the demand for electric vehicles grows, it is essential to improve the efficiency of electricity distribution networks to accommodate the surge in demand and support the energy needs of the transport sector.
- The shift from traditional energy sources to renewable energy is not only beneficial for the environment but also presents opportunities for growth in the energy sector, creating jobs in science, engineering, and finance, whilst driving innovation and technological advancement.
