Global energy demands are continuing to climb, according to a new report.
A robust global economy — which has expanded 3.7 per cent — and higher heating and cooling demands are behind the rise. In 2018, energy demands grew by 2.3 per cent, the fastest rate of energy consumption growth of any year this decade.
The findings are part of the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) latest assessment of global energy consumption and energy-related CO2 emissions for 2018.
Demand for all fuels has increased, with natural gas at the top of the list and accounting for 45 per cent of total growth.
The majority of consumers — 70 per cent to be exact — come from China, India and the U.S.
But on a positive note: Solar and wind energy has seen double-digit growth over the same period, although the growth rate has not been fast enough to meet global electricity demands.
The spike in demand has led to an increase in CO2 emissions, which grew 1.7 per cent this past year.
The largest CO2 emissions came from coal-fired power generation which generates 30 per cent of all energy-related carbon dioxide emissions.
The U.S. has seen the largest increase in oil and gas demand, where gas consumption alone increased by 10 per cent compared to the previous year. Globally, consumption of coal rose 0.7 per cent with China, India and other Asian countries in the lead.
Weather events over the course of 2018 contributed to an overall increase in energy use.
Record-breaking winter and summer temperatures led to cold air incursions and heat waves, causing an increase in the use of heating or cooling devices, and thus electricity.
Leave a Reply