Global electricity demand from air conditioning will triple by 2050

According to a new report released by the International Energy Agency (IEA), global electricity demand from air conditioning is expected to triple by 2050, requiring the equivalent of the current combined power capacity
of the United States, the European Union and Japan.

Global electricity demand from air conditioning will triple by 2050

According to a new IEA analysis, the increasing use of air conditioning worldwide will be one of the main drivers of
global electricity demand over the next three decades.
The report highlights the urgent need for policy action to improve cooling efficiency
.

The newly released "Cooling Future" report states that without new efficiency standards, the world will face a "cold snap"
of growth in cooling energy consumption in the coming decades.

According to the report, the number of air conditioners worldwide will increase from 1.
6 billion today to 5.
6 billion by 2050, which means that 10 new air conditioners
will be sold every second for the next 30 years.

The use of air conditioners and electric fans to keep cool already accounts for about 1/5 of the total electricity used in buildings worldwide, or 10%
of current global electricity consumption.
But as incomes and living standards rise in many developing countries, demand for air conditioning in hotter regions will soar
.
Air conditioning is expected to be the second largest source of global electricity demand growth after the industrial sector and the strongest driver of the construction industry by 2050
.

Powering these air conditioners comes with significant costs and environmental impacts
.
A key factor is that the efficiency of these new air conditioners can vary widely
.
For example, air conditioners sold in Japan and the European Union are typically 25 percent more efficient than those sold in the United States and China
.
Through mandatory energy standards, energy efficiency gains can halve
the energy growth in air conditioning demand.

"The growing demand for electricity from air conditioning is one of
the most critical blind spots in today's energy debate.
" IEA Executive Director Birol said, "As incomes rise, air conditioning ownership will increase significantly, especially in emerging countries, and while this will bring additional comfort and improve daily life, it is important to prioritize the efficiency performance
of air conditioners.
" ”

The report identifies key policy actions
.
Among the efficient cooling options that meet the Paris climate goals, the IEA found that through strict minimum energy efficiency standards and other measures, the average energy efficiency of global air conditioning could more than double from now until 2050, which would significantly reduce the construction of new power infrastructure to meet growing demand
.

Making cooling more efficient would also bring multiple benefits, making it more affordable, safer, and more sustainable, and saving $2.
9 trillion in investment, fuel, and operating costs
.
The rise in cooling demand is particularly important
in hot regions of the world.

"Less than one-third of the world's households currently have air conditioning
," the report states.
In countries such as the United States and Japan, more than 90% of households have air conditioning, compared to only 28% in the world's most popular regions
.
”

The issue is particularly sensitive in the fastest-growing countries, with the largest increase
seen in hot countries like India.
Without action, India's peak electricity load for air conditioners could reach 45 percent by 2050, up from 10 percent
today.
Significant investment in new power plants is therefore required to meet peak electricity demand at night, which is not possible with solar PV technology
.

"Setting higher cooling efficiency standards is one of the simplest steps a government can take to reduce the need for new power plants while allowing for reduced emissions and lower costs
.
" Birol added
.

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