Warning from International Energy Agency
The IEA has warned that without more efficient power generation and energy
use, the world faces a sharp rise in greenhouse gas
emissions, more expensive energy and a growing dependence
on the world's most unstable regions.
The Paris-based IEA, set up to advise governments in the 70s, has
also given backing to nuclear power for the first time.The executive director, Claude
Mandil, said that nuclear power remains a potentially attractive option
for enhancing the security of electricity supply and mitigating carbon
dioxide emissions.
He said that the energy future we are facing today, based on current trends, is
dirty, insecure and expensive. The next ten years will be critical because investment
decisions made over the next decade could determine the energy
landscape for the next sixty years.
The IEA's 600-page World Energy Outlook predicts an increase in energy demand of 53% by
2030, most of the rise coming from developing countries such as China or
India. Fossil fuels continue to dominate global energy use, with China expected
to be the top polluter by 2009, overtaking the United States.
The IEA's Alternative Energy Scenario shows what might happen if the world implements
energy policies currently under review. These include greater use of biofuels, nuclear power
growth and more fuel-efficient vehicles.
The IEA estimates that every dollar spent on more efficient electrical equipment avoids
about 2 dollars-worth of investment in power generation, transmission and
distribution.
Biofuels are expected to increase in importnace. Currently they represent 1% of road fuel
consumption.
