The line graph illustrates the percentage of four different energy sources – coal, natural gas, nuclear power, and renewables – used over a 30-year period from 1990 to 2020.
Overall, coal remained the predominant source of energy throughout the entire timeframe. While renewables experienced a significant growth, especially in the final decade, all other energy sources showed either overall declines or fluctuated without significant long-term growth.
In 1990, coal was the most widely used energy source, accounting for 40%. Its share steadily rose over the next two decades, reaching a peak of 45% in 2010, before slightly decreasing to 42% in 2020. Conversely, natural gas started as the second most dominant source at 30% in 1990. However, its usage dropped significantly to 23% in 2000, experienced a slight recovery to 25% in 2010, and ultimately fell to 22% by the end of the period.Nuclear energy initially constituted 20% of the total energy distribution in 1990. Over the 30 years, it experienced a slow but continuous decline, ending at 16% in 2020. In contrast, renewables represented the smallest share in 1990 at just 10%. After a modest increase to 12% by 2010, the reliance on renewable energy grew rapidly, doubling to reach 20% in 2020 and overtaking nuclear power in the process.