Columbia Energy Exchange

World Energy Outlook 2025: Navigating Divergent Futures

Nov 18, 2025
Tim Gould, Chief Economist at the International Energy Agency, dives into the complexities of global energy markets. He discusses the impact of rising geopolitical tensions on energy security and the crucial role of electrification and renewables in shaping future scenarios. Tim outlines how electric mobility in regions like China is swinging oil demand in different directions and highlights the urgent need for policies that balance energy security with climate goals. He also explores the implications of a surge in LNG supply and the necessity of grid flexibility in the renewable transition.
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INSIGHT

Electricity Is The New Economic Engine

  • Electricity is rising fast and drives economic sectors that account for roughly 40% of global GDP.
  • Renewables, especially solar, benefit from high-quality resources in demand-growth regions, making them widely competitive.
INSIGHT

Two Reference Scenarios Mean Different Futures

  • The Current Policy Scenario (CPS) uses laws already in force and assumes slower technology uptake.
  • The Stated Policies Scenario (STEPS) includes announced policies moving through implementation, producing faster change.
INSIGHT

EV Adoption Shapes Oil Demand Trajectory

  • EV uptake outside China and Europe determines whether oil demand plateaus or keeps rising to 2050.
  • Barriers like charging infrastructure can confine EVs to wealthier buyers and slow mass adoption.
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