According to the latest report from the International Energy Agency (IEA), global electricity consumption is expected to grow by 4% per year until 2027. This increase is driven by the energy transition and the growing demand from emerging countries.
### A “new era of electricity”
The report, published this Friday, compares this rise to the annual addition of electricity consumption in Japan. Developing countries, with China leading, account for 85% of the new electricity needs.
The energy transition plays a key role in this growth: the production of batteries, solar panels, and electric vehicles requires an increasing amount of electricity. In China, these sectors already represent one-third of electricity production.
### Air conditioners and rising temperatures
The increase in demand is also linked to the widespread use of air conditioners. “In Japan and the United States, 90% of households are equipped with them. With rising temperatures and heatwaves, electricity demand is skyrocketing,” explains Keisuke Sadamori, director of energy markets at the IEA.
### Towards greener production?
Two-thirds of global electricity still comes from fossil fuels, but the share of renewables is increasing. “Emissions related to electricity have plateaued thanks to the development of green energy and the stagnation of fossil fuel production,” notes Eren Cam, the report’s lead author.
However, the IEA warns about the vulnerability of electrical infrastructure to extreme weather events, which could disrupt supply in the future.