In 2024, global primary energy consumption reached 592.2 EJ, representing a 2.1% increase, with renewable energy sources playing a significant role at 9.2%. It’s important to note the change in statistical methodology applied by The Energy Institute in its annual Statistical Review of World Energy report compared to previous methods.
The report highlights the greater dynamism of non-OECD economies (+2.58%), particularly those in Asia-Pacific, which has once again become the world’s leading consumer region, accounting for 47.2% of total consumption and growing by 2.6%. North America follows, representing 18.9% of global consumption and growing by 0.4%, compared to a ten-year average of -0.8%. Europe accounts for 12.1% of total consumption and growing by 0.7%, compared to a ten-year average of nearly -1%.
Global energy-related CO2 emissions increased again compared to the previous year, reaching 35,492 Mt, a 1.1% rise. The countries with the highest emissions include China (31.5% of the total), the United States (13.0%), India (8.3%), Russia (4.7%), and Japan (2.8%). It is worth noting that the world’s operating nuclear power plants prevented the emission of more than 2,000 Mt of CO2 into the atmosphere, equivalent to almost 5.6% of total emissions for the year, making them, once again, the second-largest carbon-free energy source after hydropower.
In Spain, the electricity system emitted 27 million tons of CO2 equivalent, the lowest figure on record, with the ratio of tons of CO2 per MWh produced also at a record low of 0.108. This was due to renewable generation reaching its highest share ever at 56.8% of the total and the continued contribution of nuclear energy. Spain’s nuclear power plants, which prevent the emission of approximately 20 million tons of CO2 into the atmosphere each year, generated 27.5% of the clean electricity in Spain.
During 2024, there were 419 operational nuclear reactors in 32 countries, generating 2,667 TWh, which accounted for 4% of global primary energy consumption and over 10% of global electricity consumption. In the EU-27, it represented 23.5% of total electricity production. As of December 31, 2024, the cumulative net electricity generated worldwide from nuclear power since the first nuclear reactor was connected to the grid in 1951 was 95,954 GWh.
As of October 2025, according to data from the IAEA’s PRIS program, there were 63 reactors under construction in 15 countries with a net capacity of 66,190 MW, with China (29 units) and India (6) being the largest contributors. Plans exist for the construction of 16 new reactors with a capacity exceeding 112,000 MW, and proposals have been submitted for an additional 320 reactors with a capacity of 292,000 MW.
The policies of different governments, with different formulations, allow the continued operation of 138 nuclear reactors for at least 60 years and even in the United States thirteen reactors for 80 years.
In Spain, in 2024 the nuclear fleet produced 52,390 GWh net (19.98% of the total), making it the only technology that has produced more than 20% for thirteen consecutive years, with operating indicators around 90% and positioned among the top in the world. Five reactors were scheduled for refueling and maintenance outages.
So far in 2025 (until the end of October), net electricity production has been 43,336 GWh, a decrease of 3.2% compared to the same period in 2024, mainly due to the prolonged shutdowns for reasons of the electricity market in April of three of the units that make up the nuclear fleet and the drop in load due to dispatch in some units throughout the year.
