Energy sector spearheads energy revolution

Global energy demand has more than doubled in the last 40 years and is set to continue increasing dramatically. According to forecasts of the most recent market analysis ‘Renewables 2018’ by the International Energy Agency (IEA), the future of power supply is set to be increasingly reliant on renewable energy sources. Over the next five years, 40 percent of the worldwide rise in energy supply will stem from bioenergy, e.g. from biofuels, photovoltaic systems and wind farms.

The electricity sector is set to lead the expansion of renewable energy: According to current IEA forecasts, by 2023 the electricity sector will cover approximately 30 percent of global power demand, up from 24 percent in 2017. This places the industry in pole position to spearhead the energy revolution, whereas the expansion of renewables in other sectors remains lacking. In the heating sector, which also serves residential buildings and industrial facilities, the report foresees an increase from around 10 to 12 percent between 2017 and 2023. The contribution of the transportation sector is set to be modest at 3.4 to 3.8 percent and, although e-mobility is becoming increasingly important, the ongoing consumption of oil, petrol and diesel will remain at a high.

The expansion of renewables will need to be considerably expedited in these sectors, stresses IEA Director Faith Birol, as their importance is often overlooked.

A market analysis and forecast special entitled ‘Renewables 2018’, including the key findings, can be found on the IEA website; A PDF summary of this report can be viewed here.