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2% of global electricity is generated from Biofuels

2.30 % Share of global electricity
230 gCO2eq/kWh Carbon Intensity
Biofuels

Biofuels constitute a type of energy source derived from organic materials, such as plant and animal waste. This form of energy harnesses the process of photosynthesis, where plants capture solar energy and store it in the form of chemical energy. Biofuels can be produced in several forms, such as biodiesel, ethanol, and biogas, each offering various applications. As a source of energy, biofuels play a vital role in reducing dependency on fossil fuels, thereby contributing to efforts in mitigating climate change. In the context of electricity generation, biofuels are used in power plants where organic materials are burned, releasing energy in the form of heat that is then converted into electricity.

The process of using biofuels to generate electricity typically involves combustion, similar to traditional fossil fuels. Organic materials are collected, processed, and burned in a boiler to produce steam. This steam, in turn, drives a turbine connected to an electricity generator. Although it resembles the process of burning fossil fuels, the carbon lifecycle of biofuels is significantly more sustainable. The carbon dioxide released during the combustion of biofuels is roughly equivalent to the amount absorbed by the plants during their growth phases, contributing to a balanced carbon cycle. With a carbon intensity of 230 gCO2eq/kWh, biofuels sit in the lower range when compared to fossil fuels like coal and oil, which have much higher carbon intensities.

One crucial advantage of biofuels in electricity generation is their role in diversifying energy portfolios across the globe, thereby enhancing energy security and sustainability. Currently, biofuels contribute to approximately 2.3% of global electricity consumption. While this might seem modest on a global scale, the significance of biofuels becomes more apparent when examining specific countries. For example, in Uruguay, biofuels account for an impressive 22% of electricity generation. In Denmark, the figure stands at around 17%, while Estonia, Finland, and Sweden also benefit significantly, with 15%, 12%, and 6% of their respective electricity generation derived from biofuels. The integration of biofuels allows these countries to reduce their reliance on coal, gas, and oil, thereby contributing to global efforts to cut down greenhouse gas emissions.

In the grand scheme of things, biofuels complement other critical low-carbon energy sources like wind, nuclear, and solar energy. Wind energy, with a carbon intensity of merely 11 gCO2eq/kWh, nuclear energy at 12, and solar at 45, represent some of the cleanest electricity generation options available today. When compared to fossil fuels, the wider adoption of such low-carbon sources is vitally important in addressing the pressing issues of climate change and air pollution. The world stands at a crucial juncture where expanding clean, sustainable electricity is imperative not just for the environment, but also for future development and growth, driven by the increasing electrification of various sectors and the ever-expanding digital landscape. Nuclear and solar energy, with their promise of sustainable power and low environmental impact, should be prioritized in the global pursuit of a cleaner and greener energy future.

Country/Region kWh/person % TWh
Finland 1846.0 W 11.9% 10.3 TWh
Denmark 1121.4 W 17.0% 6.7 TWh
Uruguay 1115.7 W 21.9% 3.8 TWh
Sweden 986.6 W 6.0% 10.4 TWh
Estonia 965.5 W 14.7% 1.3 TWh
Martinique 715.4 W 16.8% 0.3 TWh
Luxembourg 706.7 W 6.9% 0.5 TWh
Guadeloupe 623.9 W 14.6% 0.2 TWh
United Kingdom 574.2 W 12.5% 39.4 TWh
Austria 557.5 W 6.5% 5.1 TWh
Germany 543.0 W 9.1% 45.9 TWh
Czechia 479.2 W 7.1% 5.2 TWh
Latvia 414.4 W 10.3% 0.8 TWh
Netherlands 401.3 W 5.9% 7.3 TWh
Portugal 380.6 W 7.0% 4.0 TWh
Japan 373.8 W 4.5% 46.5 TWh
South Korea 370.8 W 3.1% 19.2 TWh
Belize 364.9 W 20.5% 0.1 TWh
EU 333.8 W 5.5% 150.4 TWh
Belgium 299.7 W 4.2% 3.5 TWh
Réunion 286.8 W 7.4% 0.3 TWh
Singapore 286.7 W 2.8% 1.7 TWh
Macao SAR China 283.9 W 3.7% 0.2 TWh
Canada 278.1 W 1.7% 10.9 TWh
Slovakia 270.0 W 5.1% 1.5 TWh
Italy 268.1 W 5.1% 15.9 TWh
Bulgaria 267.8 W 4.9% 1.8 TWh
Brazil 267.2 W 7.4% 56.4 TWh
Croatia 266.9 W 5.4% 1.0 TWh
Chile 263.0 W 5.8% 5.2 TWh
Lithuania 252.3 W 5.7% 0.7 TWh
Mauritius 251.3 W 9.8% 0.3 TWh
Poland 216.4 W 4.9% 8.4 TWh
Guatemala 190.9 W 24.8% 3.5 TWh
Thailand 186.9 W 5.7% 13.4 TWh
Hungary 179.6 W 3.5% 1.7 TWh
Eswatini 170.7 W 14.1% 0.2 TWh
French Guiana 167.6 W 5.1% 0.1 TWh
Slovenia 165.2 W 2.1% 0.3 TWh
Ireland 159.7 W 2.3% 0.8 TWh
France 146.6 W 1.7% 9.7 TWh
People's Republic of China 146.4 W 2.1% 208.3 TWh
United States 136.1 W 1.1% 46.7 TWh
New Zealand 135.3 W 1.6% 0.7 TWh
Spain 130.4 W 2.2% 6.3 TWh
Nicaragua 130.4 W 16.2% 0.9 TWh
Fiji 129.8 W 10.4% 0.1 TWh
El Salvador 126.8 W 11.2% 0.8 TWh
Australia 122.9 W 1.2% 3.3 TWh
Honduras 117.4 W 10.5% 1.3 TWh
Switzerland 111.6 W 1.3% 1.0 TWh
Turkey 99.5 W 2.5% 8.7 TWh
The World 87.9 W 2.3% 711.0 TWh
Guyana 84.7 W 5.2% 0.1 TWh
Indonesia 79.9 W 6.4% 22.5 TWh
Greece 63.5 W 1.1% 0.7 TWh
Belarus 62.5 W 1.2% 0.6 TWh
Mexico 54.6 W 1.9% 7.1 TWh
Argentina 51.8 W 1.5% 2.4 TWh
Samoa 46.2 W 6.7% 0.0 TWh
Norway 45.3 W 0.2% 0.3 TWh
Qatar 43.6 W 0.2% 0.1 TWh
Colombia 43.4 W 2.6% 2.3 TWh
Serbia 38.4 W 0.7% 0.3 TWh
North Macedonia 38.2 W 1.0% 0.1 TWh
Cyprus 37.2 W 0.9% 0.1 TWh
Paraguay 35.1 W 0.5% 0.2 TWh
Malaysia 34.7 W 0.6% 1.2 TWh
Bolivia 33.5 W 3.3% 0.4 TWh
Cuba 29.9 W 2.2% 0.3 TWh
Ecuador 28.9 W 1.6% 0.5 TWh
Romania 26.7 W 0.9% 0.5 TWh
India 24.9 W 1.7% 35.8 TWh
Hong Kong SAR China 21.5 W 0.3% 0.2 TWh
Jamaica 21.1 W 1.3% 0.1 TWh
Dominican Republic 20.3 W 0.9% 0.2 TWh
Ukraine 19.0 W 0.7% 0.8 TWh
Malta 18.8 W 0.3% 0.0 TWh
Peru 18.3 W 1.0% 0.6 TWh
Suriname 15.9 W 0.5% 0.0 TWh
Israel 11.9 W 0.1% 0.1 TWh
Costa Rica 11.8 W 0.5% 0.1 TWh
Philippines 11.2 W 1.0% 1.3 TWh
Azerbaijan 10.7 W 0.4% 0.1 TWh
Uganda 9.9 W 8.2% 0.5 TWh
Republic of China (Taiwan) 9.6 W 0.1% 0.2 TWh
Bosnia & Herzegovina 9.4 W 0.2% 0.0 TWh
Panama 9.0 W 0.3% 0.0 TWh
Vietnam 8.5 W 0.3% 0.8 TWh
Pakistan 7.9 W 1.1% 1.9 TWh
Zimbabwe 7.3 W 1.2% 0.1 TWh
South Africa 6.5 W 0.2% 0.4 TWh
Senegal 6.1 W 1.3% 0.1 TWh
Russia 5.9 W 0.1% 0.9 TWh
Laos 5.2 W 0.1% 0.0 TWh
Lebanon 5.2 W 0.7% 0.0 TWh
Myanmar (Burma) 5.0 W 1.1% 0.3 TWh
Gabon 4.0 W 0.3% 0.0 TWh
Burkina Faso 3.9 W 2.7% 0.1 TWh
Mozambique 3.9 W 0.7% 0.1 TWh
Zambia 3.9 W 0.4% 0.1 TWh
Moldova 3.3 W 0.2% 0.0 TWh
United Arab Emirates 3.1 W 0.0% 0.0 TWh
Puerto Rico 3.1 W 0.1% 0.0 TWh
Mali 2.9 W 1.5% 0.1 TWh
Kenya 2.9 W 1.2% 0.2 TWh
Côte d’Ivoire 2.9 W 0.8% 0.1 TWh
Malawi 2.4 W 2.7% 0.1 TWh
Sudan 2.2 W 0.6% 0.1 TWh
Cambodia 1.7 W 0.1% 0.0 TWh
Congo - Brazzaville 1.6 W 0.2% 0.0 TWh
Cameroon 1.4 W 0.5% 0.0 TWh
Angola 1.4 W 0.3% 0.1 TWh
Syria 1.3 W 0.1% 0.0 TWh
Morocco 1.1 W 0.1% 0.0 TWh
Tanzania 1.1 W 0.6% 0.1 TWh
Madagascar 1.0 W 1.1% 0.0 TWh
Papua New Guinea 1.0 W 0.2% 0.0 TWh
Egypt 0.8 W 0.0% 0.1 TWh
Burundi 0.7 W 2.0% 0.0 TWh
Ghana 0.6 W 0.1% 0.0 TWh
Chad 0.5 W 2.6% 0.0 TWh
Iran 0.3 W 0.0% 0.0 TWh
Congo - Kinshasa 0.3 W 0.2% 0.0 TWh
Nigeria 0.3 W 0.1% 0.1 TWh
Ethiopia 0.1 W 0.1% 0.0 TWh
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