Timeline of global primary energy production, measured in terawatt-hours (TWh) per year.
Ranked by source: coal, biofuels, crude oil, natural gas, hydro power, nuclear, solar, wind.
Global Energy Production by Source (1860–2019)
From the dawn of industrialization to the modern technological era, the way humanity produces energy has shaped economies, societies, and even geopolitics. Looking at global energy production from 1860 to 2019 reveals a dramatic transformation—from coal-powered factories to oil-fueled transport, and finally toward an era increasingly driven by cleaner and renewable sources.
In the mid-19th century, global energy needs were relatively modest and depended primarily on biomass, especially wood. However, as industrialization accelerated, coal rapidly emerged as the dominant energy source. By the late 1800s and early 1900s, coal powered factories, steam engines, railroads, and early electricity generation. It became the backbone of industrial expansion in Europe and North America, driving urbanization and mass production while establishing the first fossil-fuel-based global economy.
The next major shift came in the 20th century with the rise of oil. Initially used for lighting, oil’s importance surged with the invention of the internal combustion engine. By the mid-1900s, oil had overtaken coal as the primary global energy source, fueling automobiles, aviation, shipping, and modern warfare. Oil wealth reshaped world politics, creating powerful energy-producing nations and influencing international relations for decades. Alongside oil, natural gas began to expand significantly after the 1950s, offering a cleaner-burning alternative to coal for heating, electricity, and industry.
As global energy demand soared in the post-World War II era, new technologies emerged. Hydropower developed into a key renewable resource, supplying electricity through major dam projects around the world. In the second half of the 20th century, nuclear energy also entered the mix, promising massive power generation with low direct emissions. Although nuclear energy faced public concern and political debate due to safety risks and waste management, it nonetheless became a significant contributor to electricity production in many countries.
Toward the end of the 20th century and especially after 2000, attention increasingly turned to renewable energy such as wind, solar, and modern bioenergy. Concerns about climate change, air pollution, and finite fossil fuel resources drove investment and innovation. By 2019, renewables were the fastest-growing energy sources, dramatically expanding capacity—though fossil fuels still accounted for the majority of global production.
By the year 2019, the global energy system had become a complex mix: oil remained dominant, coal still played a major role particularly in electricity and heavy industry, natural gas continued expanding, and renewables were rising rapidly, marking the beginning of a major energy transition.
Overall, the story of energy from 1860 to 2019 is one of innovation, industrial growth, environmental challenge, and constant change. Each new energy source revolutionized the world in its time—and the transition toward cleaner power signals the next chapter in humanity’s evolving relationship with energy.
Source: Data Is Beautiful
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