Where industrial electricity goes
Electric motor-driven systems — pumps, fans, compressors, conveyors — account for roughly 70% of all electricity used by industry. That single fact is why motor-system efficiency, variable-speed control and right-sizing dominate any serious industrial energy programme.
Source: IEA — Motor-driven system electricity use as a share of industry electricity (2023)
What it means
If motors move 70% of the electricity, the fastest electrical savings in any plant are almost always in the motor system — not in lighting or office loads. Variable-speed drives, correct sizing and cutting the system friction around pumps and fans are where the kilowatt-hours actually are.
Context
Across heavy industry, the great majority of electricity never powers a 'process' directly — it spins a motor that drives a pump, fan, compressor or conveyor. Because these machines often run continuously, even small percentage inefficiencies compound into large annual costs. This is the structural reason motor-system optimisation, rather than headline equipment, is the highest-return electrical efficiency lever on most sites.
How to interpret this data
About the source: This data comes from IEA. Public datasets like this are the foundation of fact-based decision-making in industry. When you see these numbers cited in vendor proposals or consultant reports, remember: the raw data is freely available, and the value is in how you interpret it for your specific plant and situation.
Where this matters: Pump efficiency, Compressed air efficiency are built on insights like the data shown here. Rather than treat data in isolation, read the deeper guides to see how these trends translate into actionable levers for your plant.
Sector relevance: This dataset is especially relevant to Chemicals, Steel & Metals. These sectors face the trends and challenges you see in this chart daily — energy cost pressure, the push for decarbonization, adoption of AI and predictive maintenance. Use this data to benchmark your plant against the industry average and identify where you lag or lead.
How to use this data: Take the headline number but look deeper at the chart. Is it growing or shrinking? Which segments or regions drive the trend? Does your plant's data align, or are you an outlier? Outliers are often where the best opportunities hide — either an efficiency gap you can exploit, or a leading practice you can copy.
Related charts
Electricity's rising share of industrial energy
How fast global electricity demand is growing
Renewables' share of global electricity
Related topics
Pump Efficiency: Where the Energy Goes and How to Cut It · Compressed Air Efficiency: Leaks, Pressure and Cost · Specific Energy Consumption (SEC)
Relevant to: Chemicals · Steel & Metals · Cement · Paper & Packaging