The trend, which is expected to continue in 2025, will support the use of coal even as renewable energy production increases, the Paris-based organization predicted.
The main driver of high demand for electricity will continue to be increased use of air conditioners, after a year of record global temperatures and severe heat waves, which led to the use of polluting energy sources such as coal.
“Global electricity demand is set to record the fastest growth rate in the last two decades in 2024 and 2025, underscoring the increased role of electricity in our economies, as well as the impact of severe heat waves,” said Keisuke Sadamori, director in within the IEA.
The increase in electricity demand due to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) has also drawn attention to energy efficiency and data center demand, the IEA report said.
Global energy consumption is expected to rise by around 4% in 2024, the most significant advance since 2007, and the trend is likely to continue at the same pace in 2025, compared to an increase of 2.5% in 2023, the IEA estimates.
Next year, India is expected to lead the way in energy demand growth, after an 8% advance in 2024, while China is expected to post 6% growth this year, down from 2023 , as its economy continues the restructuring process.
The EU will recover from two years of decline, posting growth of 1.7%, but uncertainties remain over the pace of growth, while the US is expected to post a 3% advance in 2024, following the decline in 2023.
Also, renewable energy production is expected to increase in the coming years, with the total share of renewable energy sources in the global supply reaching 35% in 2025, the IEA report shows.
Total renewable energy production is expected to overtake coal-fired electricity in 2025, but the use of polluting resources will continue in 2024. As a result, CO2 emissions from the global energy sector will stagnate, with a slight increase being expected in 2024, before a decrease in 2025, the IEA predicts.
The International Energy Agency is the main advisory body on energy issues of the 29 most developed countries. The agency was established in response to the first oil shock of 1973-1974, to coordinate the release of oil from reserve stocks.
Source: jurnalul.ro
