EVs, air conditioning, and data centers will drive global electricity surge

Per new IEA estimates, the world’s electricity consumption will grow at almost 4% over the next three years, up from the 3.4% it had forecast previously. The IEA singles out the transition to electric vehicles, data centers, and continued demand for air conditioning as contributing to the surge.

The “unprecedented” 3,500 TWh growth is not spread evenly across the globe, of course, with developing countries expected to account for 85% of the uptick. China’s consumption is expected to grow by 6% each year, building on decades of rapid electricity output growth.

See the interactive graphic here.