Air Conditioners Drive Record Rise in Global Energy Demand: IEA

Paris, 24 Mar (ONA) —- Global energy demand grew at a record pace last year (2024), driven largely by soaring electricity consumption from air conditioners and other power-hungry devices, the International Energy Agency (IEA) reported today.

Electricity demand rose 4.3% compared to 2023 - nearly double the average growth rate of the past decade, according to the Paris-based agency.

Extreme heat in India and China fuelled much of the surge, with air conditioning identified as a major contributor to the 1,100 terawatt-hour jump in electricity use. Emerging and developing economies accounted for more than 80% of the overall rise in energy demand.

Renewable energy and natural gas met most of the additional demand, while coal and oil use also grew, though more slowly than in previous years.

Nuclear power saw a modest revival, with six new reactors completed globally - including two in China - pushing newly installed capacity up by a third year-on-year, the IEA said.

—- Ends/Khalid