Surging demand for A/C will spur energy demand

Article Excerpt

The six hottest years ever recorded have all come since 2015. In 2022 (the fifth warmest year on record) the global average mean temperature was around 1.1 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels—with 28 countries experiencing their hottest year ever. This trend continued in 2023, with July 2023 being the hottest month in recorded history. Heatwaves—and the resulting wider cooling needs— are expected to increase in frequency and intensity as average temperatures rise and populations grow and become increasingly urbanized. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), there are around 1.5 billion household air conditioners worldwide—and that is expected to increase to 2.2 billion in 2030 and 4.4 billion in 2050. Also according to the IEA, most of those new air conditioners will be added in developing countries with rising incomes and increasing cooling needs. Meanwhile, average rates of air conditioner ownership in India are expected to increase from 11% today to 85% in 2050; in Africa it will increase from 7% today…