The global population of 8.2 billion people (United Nations, mid-2024) is increasing by approx. 80 million people per year. Electricity consumption will grow faster and thus simultaneously generation, average 2000 to 2022: +98 %, than any other form of energy consumption due to an increasing demand and population growth − one quarter of the global population does not yet has access to electricity. Additionally, digitilisation, electromobility and sector-coupling will increase electricity demand.

The IEA estimates in all of its three scenarios that in all fields and regions electricity generation will increase from 29,599 billion kWh in 2022 to a range of 53,985 billion kWh to 76,838 billion kWh in 2050; an yearly average increase of approx. 2.2 % up to 3.6 %. The scenarios are based on different policies and targets for efficiency and emission reduction. The so-called “Net Zero Emmissons Scenario” is based on no climate effective emissions in 2050. Further scenarios e.g. by BP, ExxonMobil and the U.S. Energy Administration (EIA) and are available. According to all forecasts the worldwide electricity demand will increase by 2050 in a range of the IEA´s scenarios. In the EU, the expected increase in electricity demand is lower from 2,795 billion kWh in 2022 to 4,403 to 5,441 billion kWh at an average of +1.7 % to 2.5 %.
Generation capacities worldwide are increasing with +3.9 % to +5.5 % p.a. from 8,643 Gigawatt in 2022 up to a range of 25,956 Gigawatt to 36,956 Gigawatt in 2050 – according to IEA´s scenarios – a significant increase.

The impact of the 2020/2022 Corona crisis and the Russian war on Ukraine since 2022 is estimated to be low in both the medium and long term. In China, for example, electricity demand in 2021 has risen again compared to the year 2019 level – before Corona. Russian oil, gas and coal are now exported to other regions than before the war.