BEIJING - China's energy consumption in the first three quarters grew at a faster pace as use of renewable energy posted steady momentum, official data showed Tuesday.

Coal used in building materials and the electric, steel and chemical industries accounted for 85 percent of overall coal consumption during the first nine months, data released by the National Energy Administration (NEA) showed on Tuesday.

While petroleum consumption remained steady, China's use of natural gas totaled 171 billion cubic meters in the first nine months, the NEA said.

Natural gas consumption rose 15.7 percent year-on-year, growing 7.3 percentage points faster than the same period last year, according to the NEA.

"China's energy mix has continued to improve, with the acceleration of greener growth and a low-carbon model," said Li Fulong, an official with the NEA.

According to Li, the share of clean energy has been increasing. In the first three quarters, the share of natural gas and non-fossil fuels in the country's energy mix stood at 6.9 percent and 14.3 percent, up 0.5 and 1 percentage point, respectively.

Li noted that the quality of the country's power supply has improved, as the country has made headway in cutting coal industry overcapacity.

In the first three quarters, major Chinese power producers' investments in coal-burning power construction saw a decline of 25 percent, indicating improved efficiency, NEA data showed.