Energy: supply and demand

Past and projected trends in energy demand, 1971-2010. Source: WRI/IEA

• Developing nations account for more than 80 per cent of world population, but consume only about one-third of the world’s energy.
  
• World-wide, 2 billion people are without access to electricity or other modern energy supplies and continue to use traditional solid fuels for cooking.
  
• Per capita consumption of primary energy in the United States (330 gigajoules) is eight times as high as in Sub-Saharan Africa (40 gigajoules when both commercial and traditional energy are included). Consumption in South Asia is even lower.
  
• More energy will be needed to fuel global economic growth and deliver opportunities to the billions currently constrained in their opportunities for economic development and improved living standards.
  

  Regional Shares of World Energy Consumption, 1999 and 2020
  

  
  
  

  The International Energy Outlook 2001, published by the Energy Information Administration of the US Department of Energy, forecasts that world energy consumption will rise by 59 per cent between 1999-2020, from 382 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu) to 607 quadrillion Btu.
  

  While consumption will increase in all regions, the figure above shows the highest growth in energy consumption over the period is expected in less developed countries, where the highest population growth is also expected. This is especially true in the developing countries of Asia and in Central and South America, where energy demand is projected to increase by 129 per cent and 123 per cent, respectively. The shares of all industrialised countries in total world energy consumption are projected to decline.
  

• Human health is threatened by high levels of pollution arising from energy use at the household, community and regional levels.
  
• At present, fossil fuels account for some 80 per cent of the world’s primary energy consumption and 90 per cent of the world’s commercial energy.
  
• Nuclear generation accounts for 6 per cent of energy and 16 per cent of electricity.
  
• Large-scale hydropower supplies over 2 per cent of energy and 20 per cent of global electricity.
  
• Renewable energy sources (including hydro) supply 14 per cent of the total world energy demand, but this is mainly traditional biomass used for cooking and heating in the developing world – often with high levels of household and local air pollution.
  
• ‘New’ renewable energy sources – modern biomass, geothermal, wind, solar, marine and small-scale hydro – currently contribute some 2 per cent of world energy consumption. And although they are the fastest growing energy source, will probably still only provide 3 per cent of all energy by 2020.
  

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