The population of the world continues to grow, as does the average
standard of living, increasing demand for food, water and energy and placing
increasing pressure on the environment. The population of the world doubled
from 3.2 billion in 1962 to 6.4 billion in 2005 and is forecast to grow to 9.2
billion in 2050.
Supplies of oil, gas, coal and uranium are forecast to peak as reserves
are depleted. At the same time, fear of climate change is putting pressure on
the energy sector to move away from carbon burning to nuclear, solar and other
environmentally friendly energy sources.
According to the 2007 BP Statistical Energy Survey, world 2006
electricity generation was 19,028 terawatt-hours (TWh). The countries
generating the most electricity were, in order, the USA, China, Japan, Russia,
India, Germany, Canada and France. World electricity demand in 2006 was 15,000
TWh and is forecast to be 30,000 TWh in 2030.
Between 2007 and 2015, China is expected to add 800 GW of extra
generating capacity, more than the current European capacity.
In 2004, 18% of world electricity came from hydro and 16% from nuclear.
In 2006, according to the IEA, the main sources of electricity worldwide were
coal (39.8%), gas (19.6%), hydro (16.1%), nuclear (15.7%), oil (6.7%) and other
renewables (1.8%). The contribution of coal is growing at a rapid rate compared
to all the others. There is renewed interest in nuclear but hydro is stagnant.
As of March 2007, Africa was using 5% of its hydro potential compared to Asia
(40%) and Europe (80%).
According to the 2007 BP Statistical Energy Survey, world 2006 hydro
power generation was 3,040 terawatt-hours. The countries with the largest
hydroelectric generation were, in order, China, Canada, Brazil, the USA,
Russia, Norway, India and Japan.
According to the 2007 BP Statistical Energy Survey, world 2006 nuclear
power generation was 2,808 TWh. The countries with the largest nuclear
generating capacity were, in order, the USA, France, Germany, Russia, South
Korea, Canada, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Spain and China.
In March 2007, the EC estimated the cost per MWh for solar (Euro 150 to
450), wind (50 to 180), hydro (30 to 90), biomass (30 to 80), natural gas (40
to 70), oil (60), coal (45 to 55) and nuclear (45). An MIT study showed the
2002 cost of nuclear power to be US$ 0.067 per KWh versus US$ 0.042 for coal.
As of 2006, the price of electricity was lowest in South Africa,
followed by Australia, Norway, South Korea, Taiwan and the USA.
According to the EC, the kg CO2 equivalent per MWh is solar (100), wind
(10 to 30), hydro (5 to 20), biomass (30), natural gas (400 to 440), oil (550),
coal (750 to 800) and nuclear (15). According to BE, nuclear and wind both
create 5 gram of carbon dioxide per KW generated compared to 400 gram for gas
and 900 gram for coal.
