Global demand in energy will increase by 48% from 2012 to 2040, thus 1.4% average yearly. This was revealed in a study published by US’ Energy International Agency.

Global energy consumption will thus soar from 548 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu) (around 158.92 quadrillion watt-hours) to 815 quadrillion Btu (around 236.35 quadrillion watt-hours). A quadrillion is 1,000 times a million.

More than 65% of this demand will come from non-member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, two Asian countries. As for the industrial sector, it will take half of this demand.

In the scenario considered in the study, more than half of power consumed will come from fossil energies. As for renewable, it will record a annual growth of 2.6% while nuclear will grow by 2.3% each year.

EIA’s administrator, Adam Sieminski, highlighted that some risk factors are to be accounted. These include the development of economies in crisis like China, Brazil, Russia, the implementation and reinforcement of climate policies, the development of technology, output of oil producers and development of nuclear energy.

Gwladys Johnson