Rising Global Electricity Demand Threatens Climate Goals
Electricity demand worldwide is surging at a pace that exceeds previous expectations, complicating efforts for nations to reduce their emissions and mitigate global warming. This alarming trend was highlighted in the latest report from the International Energy Agency (IEA), released on Wednesday. According to the agency’s annual World Energy Outlook, a comprehensive analysis of global energy dynamics, the next decade is projected to see the addition of electricity generation capacity equivalent to Japan’s entire annual consumption each year. This increase is largely driven by burgeoning power requirements from new manufacturing plants, electric vehicles, air conditioning systems, and expanding data centers.
In total, the IEA now anticipates that global electricity demand will be approximately 6 percent higher by 2035 than previously forecasted just one year ago. However, amidst this concerning scenario, there is a glimmer of hope for climate action. The report indicates that countries are expected to construct sufficient low-emission power generation facilities—primarily from solar, wind, and nuclear sources—by the end of the decade to accommodate this rising demand. The rapid expansion of renewable energy resources is expected to at least stabilize global emissions and may even lead to a peak in the consumption of coal, oil, and natural gas within this decade.
Nevertheless, many nations have committed to achieving net-zero emissions by approximately mid-century, a target that appears increasingly elusive. To meet these ambitious climate objectives, countries would need to accelerate the development of low-carbon electricity sources at double the current rate between now and 2035. As Fatih Birol, the executive director of the IEA, aptly stated, “In the history of energy, we’ve witnessed the rise of coal and oil. We are now rapidly transitioning into the age of electricity, which will shape the global energy landscape moving forward.”
A New Surge in Power Use Is Threatening U.S. Climate Goals
The rapid expansion of data centers and manufacturing facilities is placing immense pressure on the electric grid, while simultaneously bolstering the use of fossil fuels.
