Photo of New York City 2015 Copyright: ESA
Energy demand is growing at an exponential rate
Forecasting long-term energy trends begins with a simple fact: people need energy. Over the next few decades, population and income growth – and an unprecedented expansion of the global middle class – are expected to create new demands for energy. Some see global energy consumption rising by about 35 percent from 2010 to 2040.
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consumers
Among the many observers who foresee a dramatic expansion of the world’s middle class, The Brookings Institution has recently estimated that the number of people who earn enough to be considered “middle class” will reach 4.7 billion by 2030, up from 1.9 billion in 2010.
industry
Almost half of the world’s energy is dedicated to industrial activity. Industry accounts for 30 percent of primary energy usage and 50 percent of electricity demand.
Total industrial energy demand is projected to rise by about 40 percent through 2040. The two largest subsectors – heavy industry and chemicals – together are expected to account for about 85 percent of this growth. Source - Exxon Mobil: The Outlook for Energy 2015