---
title: "World energy trend, importance of renewables"
subject: "Energy Environment and Society"
chapter: 2
key: "semester_7/energy_environment_and_society:energy-consumption-trend-re-importance"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/energy_environment_and_society/energy-consumption-trend-re-importance
site: BCT Engineering
---

# World energy trend, importance of renewables

Energy Environment and Society · Chapter 2: Energy Basics

- Asked in: 2070 Chaitra, 2.5+2.5 marks
- Video: [Global Energy Demand](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RSrviqvAmY) — Canadian Geographic
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/energy_environment_and_society/energy-consumption-trend-re-importance
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/energy_environment_and_society/chapter-2

## Question

What is the trend of consumption of energy sources in the world? Describe the importance of renewable energy sources.

## Short answer

World energy use grew from about 45 EJ in 1900 to about 600 EJ today; fossil fuels still supply about 80%, but solar and wind are fastest growing. Renewable energy is important because it is inexhaustible, low-pollution, improves energy security, supports rural development, creates jobs, and improves health.

## Answer

#### Trend of world energy consumption
- World energy use has grown nearly every year since the industrial revolution, from about 45 EJ in 1900 (including traditional biomass) to about 600 EJ today.
- Traditional biomass dominated until the late 19th century, coal in the first half of the 20th century, and oil from the 1960s; natural gas, nuclear (from the 1970s) and, recently, wind and solar followed.
- Fossil fuels are still about 80% of supply, but their share is slowly falling.
- Growth is now concentrated in Asia; demand in developed regions is flat because of efficiency.
- The fastest-growing sources are solar PV and wind (double-digit annual growth), and falling costs have made them cheaper than new coal in most places.
- Electricity demand is growing faster than total energy demand because of electrification (EVs, heat pumps, data centres).
- Coal use has dipped in some countries but is still high in China and India.

```text
Share of world primary energy (approx.)
Oil     |############        31%
Coal    |##########          27%
Gas     |#########           23%
Hydro   |###                  7%
Nuclear |##                   4%
Others  |####                 8%
```

#### Importance of renewable energy
- **Inexhaustible:** sun, wind, water and biomass are naturally replenished; fossil fuels will run out.
- **Environment:** very low CO₂ and air pollution, which helps fight climate change.
- **Energy security:** reduces import dependence (Nepal imports all its petroleum products).
- **Rural development:** decentralised systems (micro-hydro, solar, biogas) give energy to remote places.
- **Jobs and economy:** local employment, lower long-term cost, stable prices.
- **Health:** biogas and clean cooking reduce indoor air pollution.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Which describes the trend of world energy consumption?
   A. It has grown nearly every year, with growth now concentrated in Asia
   B. It has steadily fallen since 1900
   C. It is flat in Asia and rising only in developed regions
   D. It has not changed since the industrial revolution
   Answer: A. Use rose from about 100 EJ in 1900 to about 600 EJ, with growth in Asia while developed regions are flat. (Key point: Trend of consumption)

2. The fastest-growing energy sources are:
   A. coal and oil
   B. solar PV and wind
   C. traditional firewood
   D. nuclear only
   Answer: B. Solar and wind have double-digit annual growth and cost falls. (Key point: Fastest growing sources)

3. How does renewable energy help energy security in Nepal?
   A. It increases petroleum imports
   B. It makes Nepal depend on coal
   C. It reduces import dependence since Nepal imports all petroleum products
   D. It has no effect
   Answer: C. Renewables use local resources, reducing dependence on imports. (Key point: Energy security)

4. Renewable sources are inexhaustible because:
   A. they are extracted underground
   B. they are finite
   C. they cannot be replaced
   D. they are naturally replenished, unlike fossil fuels that will run out
   Answer: D. Sun, wind, water and biomass are naturally replenished. (Key point: Inexhaustible nature)

## Related in Energy Environment and Society

- [Renewable energy trend in world](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fenergy_environment_and_society%3Arenewable-energy-trend-world) — Energy Environment and Society, chapter 2
- [HDI and energy consumption](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fenergy_environment_and_society%3Ahdi-energy-relation) — Energy Environment and Society, chapter 1

## Related in other subjects

- [World renewable energy scenario](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fpower_plant_design%3Aworld-renewable-scenario) — Power Plant Design, chapter 1
- [World energy resources and consumption pattern](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fenergy_resources%3Aworld-energy-resources-consumption-pattern) — Energy Resources, chapter 8
- [Types of renewable energy sources](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fpower_system_analysis_i%3Arenewable-energy-types) — Power System Analysis I, chapter 1
- [World renewable trends and impact on Nepal](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fpower_plant_design%3Aworld-renewable-trend-nepal) — Power Plant Design, chapter 1