The development of air conditioning will have a major impact on global electricity demand

The International Energy Agency predicts that the massive development of air conditioning will have a major impact on global demand for electricity over the next 10 years. Rising living standards in emerging countries and global warming are the two main drivers behind the development of air conditioning. Demand for air conditioning could represent the equivalent of 700 TWh of electricity per year by 2030. The temperature sensitivity of air conditioning demand will make it more difficult to manage and balance electricity networks, with the need for back-up production plants when temperatures rise sharply. 90% of American and Japanese households are equipped with air conditioning systems, compared with 5% in Nigeria, 15% in Indonesia and less than 20% in India.