Global Energy

Global energy consumption is expected to increase steadily over the next twenty years. According to the International Energy Outlook 2001, the actual growth of world energy consumption increased from 207 quadrillion Btu in 1970, to 382 quadrillion Btu in 1999 which is anticipated further increase to 607 quadrillion Btu in 2020. Over this fifty year period, the consumption of energy will likely increase by about 200 percent, from 207 quadrillion Btu in 1970 to 607 quadrillion Btu in 2020. The largest increase in energy use will occur in the developing world. From 1999 to 2020, energy consumption in the developing countries is expected to climb 122 quadrillion Btu to 264 quadrillion Btu, depicting an increase of 116 percent. In other words, the increase in energy use in the developing world is roughly double that of all countries in the global economy. Because, firstly many developing countries are striving towards economic development and industrialization and will thus require additional energy. Secondly, virtually all of the increase in the world population over the next twenty years will take place in the developing world. Population growth will add over 1 billion people to the poorer regions, thus expanding the energy requirements for these regions.