Primary energy demand in China 1980-2060, by source

China's primary energy demand is forecast to reach a peak in 2030, at over 173 exajoules. Between 1980 and 2020, China has seen a significant growth in primary energy demand, largely covered by the use of fossil fuels such as coal. In 2020, fossil fuels accounted for 121.3 exajoules of energy demand, compared with 19.5 exajoules of low carbon sources. This distribution is set to change in the coming years, according to the country's Energy in the New Era strategy and multiple other strategies dealing with the country's road to net zero emissions by 2060. Low carbon sources are expected to overtake fossil fuels in primary energy demand by 2040. Meanwhile, total demand is set to remain relatively stable from that year onwards, in the follow-up to efforts in increasing energy efficiency.