WEMO24-Compiled Report-Interactive compressed (002) 4154-7882-8116 v.1 - Flipbook - Page 119
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Key Points
Introduction
1.
All the net-zero-carbon scenarios for 2050 forecast a very
significant increase in electricity consumption, which is set to
quadruple in 30 years.
Net zero Carbon scenarios forecast a very significant
increase in electricity consumption
2. This will result in an increased electricity percentage in the
energy mix.
3. In addition, new large electricity needs will arise from the
Artificial Intelligence development
4. In contradiction with above, electricity consumption in
Europe in 2023 was lower than in previous years.
5. The article below analyses this phenomenon and concludes
that the energy transition is lagging
COLETTE LEWINER
Energy & Utilities Expert
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Electricity consumption is not
rising as predicted in Europe
To combat the growth in greenhouse gas emissions linked to
energy consumption, the growth in energy demand has to be
limited and fossil fuels must be replaced by renewable electricity
(hydro, solar and wind) and low-carbon nuclear electricity. The
overall result is an increased electricity percentage in the energy
mix.
In addition, the technological transition will involve massive use
of data needed to develop artificial intelligence, and in particular
generative artificial intelligence. The increase in the number of
data centres needed to process this data will result in a sharp
rise in electricity consumption.
However, electricity consumption in Europe in 2023 was lower
than in previous years!
The article below analyses this phenomenon and concludes
that the energy transition is lagging.
This is confirmed by the low growth, over the last twenty years,
of the electricity penetration rate in total energy consumption
in Europe and North America.
WEMO 2024
This is in contradiction with the forecasts described above.
Colette Lewiner is a worldwide Energy expert with
more than 40 years of experience, and deep knowledge
from industrial operations, IT consulting and Companies
management and governance. She is also an Independent
Director on boards of public or private Companies.
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