Everything Energy

For many decades, global energy demand was mainly concentrated in wealthy, industrialised economies such as the United States, Europe and Japan. That has changed in the 21st century as China’s rapid economic growth moved the centre of gravity eastward, with the country driving more than half of global oil and gas demand growth and 60% of electricity demand growth since 2010. Now, the landscape is shifting again. Emerging economies – led by India and Southeast Asia, and joined by countries in the Middle East, Latin America and Africa – are poised to take the baton from China. This brings new opportunities and challenges that will affect energy markets for years to come. In this episode, Ali Saffar, Head of the IEA’s Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America Division, and IEA energy analyst Siddharth Singh explore how energy demand has evolved over the past half-century and share insights on what lies ahead, based on new analysis in recent IEA reports.

Today, nearly two out of every five people in Africa still live without access to electricity. That means no lighting at home or in schools, no power to grow businesses, and no reliable energy for healthcare or essential services. New IEA analysis outlines a pathway to universal access to electricity by 2035. But what will it take to get there? In this episode, Emma Gordon and Adam Ward – energy investment analysts and lead authors of a recent IEA report on this topic – explain what is needed, including the financial tools that could unlock essential investment.

Brent Wanner, Head of the IEA’s Power Supply Unit, and Anthony Vautrin, an energy modeller specializing in electricity demand projections, dive into the future of solar power. They discuss how solar has dramatically improved in cost and efficiency since 2010, making it the cheapest electricity source. The duo highlights the potential for solar to meet growing electricity demands in sunny regions, particularly in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. They also address challenges like grid modernization and the need for diverse energy sources to ensure stable, secure electricity systems.

Laura Cozzi and Tim Gould from the IEA delve into the World Energy Outlook 2025, revealing complex energy security risks tied to geopolitical tensions and market concentration in critical minerals. They highlight shifting demand driven by growth in India and Southeast Asia, emphasizing the rapid rise of renewable energy, particularly solar. The duo also discusses the pervasive impact of electric vehicles on oil demand and the urgent need for grid investments to keep pace with skyrocketing electricity needs, advocating for a coordinated policy response akin to 1973.

In this conversation, Talya Vatman, the IEA's Caspian and Black Sea Programme Manager, discusses Ukraine's precarious energy security as winter approaches. She shares insights from her visit to Kyiv, emphasizing the risks of Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. Talya highlights the human impact of power outages and the necessity of decentralized renewable sources for resilience. She also covers the challenges of maintaining energy supplies and the vital role of international support in safeguarding Ukraine's energy future.

Southeast Asia is a dynamic region that is increasingly shaping global energy trends. As populations and economies grow, its energy demand is set to soar in the coming years, accounting for a quarter of global growth over the next decade. It also plays a critical role in the supply chains for energy technologies. In this episode, we’re joined by Sue-Ern Tan, Head of the IEA’s Regional Cooperation Centre in Singapore. From the Agency’s first office outside its Paris headquarters, she unpacks these trends, examining the key opportunities and challenges ahead. She also outlines what countries in the region need to do to achieve the ambitious energy goals they have set.

Products made from petrochemicals are all around us – in our clothes, electronics, packaging, medical equipment, tires and so much more. But what are petrochemicals? And why are they so important for the future of global oil markets? In this episode, we speak with IEA Oil Market Analysts David Martin and Ciarán Healy. They explain how petrochemicals are produced, why demand for them is rising quickly and what this could mean for the oil sector, from the impact on refineries to the potential implications for emissions.

In this insightful discussion, Eren Çam, an electricity analyst at the IEA with a focus on global power trends, dives into the evolving landscape of electricity generation. He outlines the current mix of energy sources, including the dominance of coal and the rapid rise of renewables like solar and wind. Eren also addresses key challenges in scaling up electricity supply, such as infrastructure and regulatory barriers, while highlighting optimistic trends for low-emission growth and integrating diverse energy sources for a sustainable future.

Today, four in five families in African countries cook with fuels such as wood and charcoal over open fires or basic stoves. This leads to more than 800,000 premature deaths each year. But new IEA analysis shows that momentum is building to address this critical issue – opening a pathway to reach universal access to clean cooking in Africa by 2040. In this episode, we hear from Syrine El Abed, IEA Africa Programme Manager, and Dan Wetzel, Head of the IEA’s Tracking Sustainable Transitions Unit. They explain what the lack of clean cooking supplies means in practice, what the latest data reveals, what more can be done to close the access gap, and why the energy sector is key to solving this challenge.

Brian Motherway, Head of the IEA’s Office of Energy Efficiency, dives into the soaring global demand for air conditioning as temperatures rise and income levels increase. He discusses the impact on electricity systems and affordability, highlighting the urgent need for effective government policies. The conversation explores strategies for sustainable urban design to combat heat while ensuring equitable access to cooling. Motherway emphasizes the significance of updating building codes and standards as climate change intensifies, showcasing the challenges and solutions in keeping cool without straining energy resources.