Global energy demand set to rise

HOUSTON: World energy demand will rise by 2.2% a year through 2020, outpacing the 1.6% growth of the past 10 years, according to a McKinsey & Co report.

That growth in demand, led by developing economies, could be cut to less than 1% if new policies and existing technologies are implemented worldwide to increase the efficient use of such products as oil, natural gas and coal, according to the report released today by the New York-based management consulting company.

“Under all scenarios, you see future energy growth being stronger in the next 15 years than in the past despite some pretty significant attempts to increase efficiency,