Energy Statistics

The United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) is engaged in the following activities in energy statistics: collection and dissemination of energy data and production of energy balances and electricity profiles; methodological work; technical co-operation; and coordination.

UNSD collects energy statistics from more than 190 countries and updates and maintains the Energy Statistics Database which contains energy statistics for the period 1950-2006 on more than 215 countries, regions and areas for production, trade, conversion and final consumption (end-use) for primary and secondary conventional, non-conventional and new and renewable sources of energy. The UNSD Annual Questionnaire on Energy Statistics is sent to national statistical offices, ministries of energy or other authorities responsible for energy statistics in the country.

The UN Energy Statistics flagship publications:

The annual publication Energy Statistics Yearbook is a collection of international comparable energy statistics on the supply of primary and secondary forms of energy.
The annual publication Energy Balances and Electricity Profiles presents energy data for selected countries in a format showing an overall picture of energy production, conversion and consumption of the fuels utilized in the country.

Statistics on the production of hard coal, lignite, crude petroleum, natural gas and electricity data are collected on a monthly basis and published in the Monthly Bulletin of Statistics. Annual production, trade and consumption of commercial energy data are also published in the Statistical Yearbook.

UNSD is involved in The Joint Oil Data Initiative (JODI) with: the Asia Pacific Energy Research Center (APEC), EUROSTAT, the International Energy Agency (IEA/OECD), the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE), the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the International Energy Forum Secretariat (IEFS). The JODI world database can be accessed at http://www.jodidata.org/db.shtm.

UNSD is also involved in developing concepts and methods in the domain of energy statistics to ensure international comparability of energy data and organizes regional seminars, workshops to enhance national statistical capacity building in energy statistics.

The key publications on methodology of the section are:

• Studies in Methods - Series F No. 29: Concepts and Methods in Energy Statistics, with Special Reference to Energy Accounts and Balances - A Technical Report (1982) (Sales no: E.82.XVII.13)
• Studies in Methods - Series F No. 44:Energy Statistics: Definitions, Units of Measure and Conversion Factors (1987) (Sales no. E.86.XVII.21)
• Studies in Methods - Series F No. 56: Energy Statistics: A Manual for Developing Countries (1991) (Sales No. E.91.XVII.10)