China has became the world's top generator of solar energy and its 2015 coal consumption declined for the first time since 1998, according to new data released today by the oil company BP in its latest Statistical Review of World Energy.

China overtook both Germany and the US to rank first in solar power production in 2015, growing by 69.7 per cent, the review states. Other non-fossil fuels also increased steadily, such as nuclear (+28.9 per cent) and wind (+15.8 per cent).

In addition, the data shows global demand for coal experienced its largest fall on record. China is believed to have played a critical role in driving the emission down. In 2015 the country emitted less CO2 from energy use, and its coal consumption decreased 0.1 per cent for the first time since 1998. Such a transition of energy mix stalled the growth in carbon emissions from energy consumption, representing the slowest increase in nearly a quarter of a century.

Likewise, more countries shifted to low carbon fuels in 2015.

Last year, the global demand for primary energy rose by only one per cent, significantly slower than the 10-year average of 1.9 per cent, which the review attributed to the sluggish world economy and low-speed growth in Chinese energy consumption as the country is evolving from an industrial to a service-driven economy.

Oil remained the world's leading fuel, accounting for 32.9 per cent of global energy consumption, which is said to gain market share for the first time since 1999.

World consumption of natural gas grew 1.9 per cent in 2015. Renewable energy in power generation also continued to rise, reaching 2.8 per cent of global energy consumption. The number was 0.8 per cent a decade ago.

China remained the world's largest growth market for energy for a fifteenth consecutive year, the review stated, even though the country's energy consumption had witnessed the slowest growth rate (1.5 per cent) in decades.

"China is a country of great significance to BP," said BP China President Edward Yang. "And we are committed to be a trusted energy partner and valuable contributor supporting China's strategic development for a sustainable future.