China is world's biggest energy user: IEA
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By Robert Clark | Jul 23, 2010
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China has overtaken the US to become the world’s biggest energy consumer, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
However, China disputes the figures, claiming that the IEA uses a different method to calculate energy use from that used by Beijing.
IEA said China consumed 2.25 billion tons of oil equivalent last year, compared to 2.17 billion tons by the US.
The IEA said China’s thirst for energy had doubled since 2000, and further strong growth was expected given its low per-capita consumption level, around one-third of the OECD average.
“China's rise to the top ranking was faster than expected as it was much less affected by the global financial crisis than the United States,” IEA noted.
“For those who have been following energy consumption trends closely, this does not come as a surprise. What is more important is the phenomenal growth in demand that has taken place in China over the last decade; prospects for future growth still remain incredibly strong.”
IEA’s “oil-equivalent” measure covers all forms of energy consumed, including crude oil, nuclear power, coal, natural gas and renewable sources such as hydropower.
China's National Bureau of Statistics says China's energy consumption last year was 3.1 billion tons of standard coal, which is equivalent to about 2.13 billion tons of oil, China’s Global Times reported.
