Increasing Demand in Energy Supply and the Importance of Coal
World primary energy supply increased by 2.2 times between 1973 and 2017, reaching 13,511 mtoe. It is noteworthy that energy supply grew by 34% during this period and that a large part of this growth came from Asia. The increase in energy demand, especially in China and India, shows the impact of these regions on the world energy market. At the same time, primary energy supply in developed countries either decreased or remained at the same level (BP, 2018).
The Changing Face of Energy Resources
Between 1973 and 2017, the share of oil in the world decreased from 46.2% to 34%, while the share of natural gas increased from 16% to 23%, the share of nuclear energy from 0.9% to 4%, and the share of renewable energy sources increased from 1.9% to 4%. In the same period, the share of coal increased from 24.5% to 28% (BP 2018).
The Increasing Role of Coal
In the first 17 years of the new century, the share of coal in total energy supply increased from 23.1% to 28%. This shows that coal still remains an important energy source (BP, 2018).
Looking Ahead: Energy Demand Projections
According to the International Energy Agency’s estimates, world primary energy demand will increase by 45.3% compared to 2017, reaching 19,637 mtoe in 2040. In this case, the share of oil will be 27.5% and the share of coal will be 27.1% in 2040, while natural gas will follow with 24% (IEA, 2018).
Energy Consumption and Production in Turkey
While energy consumption in Turkey has increased by 39.7% in the last decade, energy production has increased by 34%. The ratio of domestic production to consumption has increased from 26.4% to 27.6%. In particular, the increase in the ratio of domestic coal production to consumption indicates changes in the country’s energy policies.
The Future of Energy Resources
These changes in energy supply necessitate a reevaluation of energy policies and resource distribution both globally and in Turkey. While coal remains an important energy source both globally and in Turkey, the use of this source and its environmental impacts will continue to be an important topic of discussion in the coming years.