Renewable Energy

The Energy Supply Mix in OECD Countries

Data on energy supply in OECD countries in 2020 shows a varied landscape of energy mix profiles, shaped by resources, policies and price levels.

Iceland, Costa Rica, and Norway derived more than half of their energy supply from renewables. Nuclear power marked a distinct feature in the energy profiles of countries like Sweden, France and Slovenia. In the vast majority of countries, reliance on fossil fuels comprises a significant portion of the total energy supply. For the OECD as a whole, fossil fuel reliance has declined since 2000 but still made up close to 78% of the total energy supply in 2020.

Total Energy Supply (TES) represents the total amount of energy available for consumption in a country within a specific period. It’s calculated by adding up the country’s energy production and imports, and then subtracting exports and energy used for international transportation (like aviation and marine bunkers). Any changes in stock levels, either additions or withdrawals, are also taken into account.

TES provides a comprehensive overview of a country’s energy landscape, accounting for both domestic production and external interactions. It encompasses various sources of energy, including coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear, and renewables (bioenergy, geothermal, hydropower, ocean, solar and wind) among others. The OECD notes that while electricity trade is included in total energy supply, it is excluded from the calculation of the breakdown by source as shown in the chart.

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