IEA Executive Director Declares Global Shift to 'Age of Electricity' at COP31
Fatih Birol, the executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), announced at the COP31 UN climate summit in Turkey that the world has transitioned from the age of coal, oil, and gas into the 'age of electricity.' Birol highlighted that electricity generation is projected to more than double in the next decade compared to the last, with an expected 12,000 gigawatts to be added globally, up from 5,000 gigawatts in the previous decade. This shift is driven by countries seeking to secure energy supplies amidst fossil fuel price volatility and supply shocks. The electrification trend is evident in the transport sector, with electric car sales outside China increasing by 60% in the last nine months. The growth of AI data centers and the rising demand for air conditioning due to more intense heatwaves are also significant factors spurring increased electricity generation. While oil and gas will still be utilized, electricity is becoming the dominant energy source. Governments from 185 countries are ...
