How has the consumption pattern of energy changed over the years?

The percentage use of different sources of energy is referred to as pattern of energy consumption. It can only be analysed when different sources of energy are converted into a common unit, which is termed as MTOE (Million Tonnes of Oil Equivalent) in India. The pattern of energy consumption has undergone considerable change overtime. The use of primary sources like coal, petroleum and natural gas has undergone a significant change. The non-commercial use of this energy has increased from 36% to 76% during 1953-54 to 2004-05. The percentage of direct final consumption of coal has drastically reduced irrespective of the increase in the total consumption of coal. Its consumption increased from 95 million tonnes in 1980-81 to 355 million tonnes in 2008-09. Also, the consumption of oil, for which our country was dependent upon Gulf countries, has increased. The consumption of electricity in the agricultural sector has increased overtime, whereas, it remained the highest in the industrial sector as compared to other sectors.

At present commercial energy consumption makes up about 65 percent of the total energy consumed in india. This includes coal, with the largest share of 55 percent followed by 31 percent by oil, 11 percent by natural gas and 3 percent by hydro-energy.

Non-commercial energy sources consisting of firewood, cow dung, and agricultural wastes account for 30 percent of the total energy consumption. The transport sector was the largest consumer of commercial energy consumption in 1953-54. The share of industrial sector is falling. The share of oil and gas is highest among all commercial energy consumption.

Trends in sectoral share of commercial energy consumption