Global energy demand seen to double in 2050

MANILA, Philippines - Global energy demand is expected to double in 2050, underscoring the need for higher energy supply to meet demand worldwide, experts said during the Shell organized Powering Progress Together conference yesterday.

 â€œMore megacities will rise in Africa, Asia and Latin America. It is believed that from today’s 22 megacities, there will be at least 60 to a hundred cities with over 10 million people by 2050.  Demand for energy, water and food will be greater to fuel this growth,” said Roberto Kanapi, vice-president for communications of Shell Companies in the Philippines.

He said growing economies would put ever-increasing strain on these three vital resources, thus the need to start thinking of sustainable ways to provide additional energy, water and food for the future.

According to the World Energy Council, future energy supply most double to meet the demands of all households worldwide by 2050 while total fuel demand in all transport modes will increase to 30 percent above 2010 levels to as much as 82 percent.

Asian countries have expressed concern about future energy needs, amid increasing pressure for more energy, water and food, to keep up with increased population growth, according to Shell’s Future of Energy Survey 2013.

Thailand, the Philippines and India top a list of nine Asian countries that have expressed concern about future energy needs, according to Shell.

The results emerged from a series of Shell-commissioned Future Energy surveys in which 80 percent of the respondents ranked longer-term future energy needs alongside everyday concerns like public education and cost of living as important.

In the Philippines, nearly nine in 10 or 87 percent of respondents consider future energy needs to be an important issue alongside other important issues such as employment, public education, and environment and pollution.

 â€œNearly three quarters (74 percent) of Philippine respondents believe the country should derive its future energy from solar, followed by hydro energy, wind power and natural gas,” according to the FOE survey on the Philippines.

The FOE surveys covered 8,446 people in 31 cities and nine regional areas.

By 2030, the world will need 40 percent to 50 percent more energy, water and food in tandem with rising demand and increased populations.

“It is encouraging to know that Asians view future energy needs as high priority as this region will see one of the fastest growths in population and energy demand,” said Jeremy Bentham, Shell’s vice president for global business environment.