ExxonMobil released a new edition of its "Outlook for Energy: A View to 2030". According to the report, world energy demand will increase by 35% by 2030 (compared to 2005) while around $3,000bn of investments will be required to meet this demand level. The world's population would reach 8 billion people. The report includes an assessment of the impact of climate policies on future energy demand and fuel mix.
The main findings are:
- In non-OECD countries, energy demand is expected to rise by 65% by 2030 (compared to 2005). In OECD countries, energy demand in 2030 is expected to be slightly lower than in 2005.
- Energy efficiency would improve by 1.5%/year, curbing global energy demand growth by 65% through 2030.
- Among fossil-fuels, a large development of natural gas supply would occur. In the US, unconventional gas supplies would account for over 50% of gas demand by 2030.
- Power generation may post the more dynamic growth among the energy-demand sectors and may represents 40% of the total primary energy demand by 2030.
- Renewables (wind, solar and biofuels) are expected to develop rapidly (10%/year by 2030) even if they finally only account for 2.5% of total energy in 2030.
The report is available on: http://www.exxonmobil.com/Corporate/Files/news_pub_eo_2009.pdf