30th Energy Statistics Course

The 30th Energy Statistics Course from the IEA, took place in a virtual format on 27-30 October 2025.

This free course offered training in the internationally recognised IEA methodology and tools for collecting and organising national-level energy data by different fuels and sectors of the economy. It focused on creating complete and accurate energy balances through the use of consistent definitions and units, in order to inform national energy policy and enable consistent international reporting.

The course was divided into 9 modules with a strong focus on exercises.

Renewables Module

This session gave an overview of the latest trends in renewable sources of energy. The four classifications of renewable and waste sources will be explained, including a focus on different types of solid biofuels. Participants will learn about the different aspects of creating a renewable balance, and how to report data in the joint annual renewables and waste questionnaire.

Introduction to Hydrogen Data Collection Module

Given the increasing importance that Hydrogen is making within the energy domain, this short introductory session explained some of the key concepts and data flows that countries should seek to collect to help produce a hydrogen balance. Links to ammonia and e-fuels will also be discussed.

Natural Gas Module

This session gave an overview of the recent trends in gas production and consumption in the energy mix, key concepts in gas statistics and fundamental guidance on reporting data into the joint annual gas questionnaire. Participants learned about the gas supply chain and commodity flow, taking into account the special considerations for reporting trade, for example.

Oil Module

This session gave an overview of the recent trends in oil supply and demand, key concepts in oil statistics and fundamental guidance on reporting data into the joint annual oil questionnaire. Participants learned the characteristics that define oil and follow the various elements in the supply chain, from oil production to final consumption, that comprise the oil balance.

Coal Module

This session gave an overview of the recent trends in world coal production, consumption, and trade, including its role in electricity generation; there was also key guidance on how to report data in the joint annual coal questionnaire. Participants learned about coal classifications, and how to create a coal balance.

Electricity Module

This session gave an overview of the latest trends in world electricity generation and consumption. The distinction between primary and secondary electricity sources, as well as between main activity and auto producer plans was explained, as well as the unique way of classifying electricity trade data. Guidance was also given on how to check generation efficiencies, and report the data in the joint annual electricity and heat questionnaire. 

Energy Demand and End-Use Data Module

The session described the key data needed for a good representation of the demand-side of the energy system, including: power and transformation, industry, transport, buildings and other sectors – typically requiring dedicated data collection at national level. Demand-side data are key to the design of a complete and accurate energy balance. The session also showed the benefits of collecting detailed end-use data for each sector, as a preliminary step to developing efficiency indicators to inform and monitor sectoral policies.

Energy Balances Module

The session explained the definitions, concepts and conventions underlying the building of a national energy balance. It showed how an energy balance is also the starting point for the construction of various indicators such as energy intensity, energy consumption per capita, of for early estimations of CO2 emissions from fuel combustion. The session combined presentation and hands-on exercises, including featuring the IEA balance builder.

Emissions Module

The session introduced the methodology used to estimate greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector, covering the sectoral and reference approaches and fugitive emissions. Emissions from energy account for more than three-quarters of the total greenhouse gas emissions globally, hence tracking them is integral for sustainable policy-making.