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Artificial Intelligence
…improved computing power, a boom in data availability and breakthroughs in the design of AI models, leading to rapid adoption by both businesses and individuals. Though significant uncertainties remain, AI has the potential to transform the energy sector in the coming decade. It is set to drive a surge in electricity demand from data centres around the world while also unlocking significant opportunities to cut costs, enhance competitiveness and reduce emissions.To better understand the growing connections between energy and AI, the IEA launched a major new initiative in 2024: Energy for AI, and AI for Energy. As part of…
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Access and Affordability
…and communities. New scenario shows pathway to universal electricity access within a decade Progress on electricity access has been remarkable in recent decades. Since 2000, the number of people without electricity has fallen by almost a billion, and 40 countries have reached near-universal access. After setbacks related to the Covid-19 pandemic and the global energy crisis, the global trend is once again downward, though the pace of progress remains well below that achieved over the previous decade. On the basis of current trends, around 710 million people are projected to remain without access to electricity in 2030, and…
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Climate Change
…OECD) and the IEA. Established in 1993, CCXG activities are jointly supported by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the IEA. Energy and climate Energy security and climate security go hand in hand Risks to global energy security are getting worse as climate change intensifies. Higher temperatures, as well as more frequent and severe extreme weather events, increasingly threaten the reliable supply of fuels, minerals and electricity, which can result in higher energy prices. Drought conditions, for example, can impede the operation of thermo-electric and nuclear power plants, which require water for cooling. Meanwhile, hurricanes…
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Russia's War on Ukraine
…straining the finances of households and businesses, and complicating efforts to improve access to electricity. Energy markets, faced with an unusually high degree of geopolitical uncertainty, remain on edge.In Ukraine, the energy sector is on the front line of the war for the second consecutive winter. As temperatures have dropped, Russia has resumed a broad military offensive targeting power plants and other key energy infrastructure across the country, which in 2022 and 2023 caused extensive damage and left many Ukrainians without reliable supplies of electricity or heat for long periods. Recent improvements to Ukraine’s air defence systems have helped…
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The Middle East and Global Energy Markets
The IEA is responding to the energy market impacts of the conflict in the Middle East and continues to closely monitor the latest developments.The disruption to oil and gas flows through the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on energy infrastructure across the region have major implications for energy security and affordability – and for the world economy. The IEA's Executive Director has said the combined impacts amount to "the greatest threat to global energy security in history." The war in the region that began on 28 February has impeded energy trade flows through the Strait, creating the largest supply disruption in…
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Investment
…households and businesses is expected to reach a new high of $3.3 trillion in 2025. How this spending is allocated has major consequences for energy security, affordability and transitions around the world.The IEA regularly tracks capital flows in the energy sector, identifying key trends and studying their impact. Analyses such as our flagship World Energy Investment report, published annually, explore how investors are assessing risks and opportunities across all areas of fuel and electricity supply, critical minerals, energy efficiency, research and development and energy finance.The Agency also supports governments and industry as they work to reduce barriers to investing…
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Saving Energy
Today's energy shortages and high prices makes it more important than ever to use energy wisely With today’s global energy crisis resulting in high prices and shortages that are hurting consumers, businesses and entire economies, it has never been more important to use energy more wisely. We can do this through simple changes in behaviour and habits to consume less energy in our daily activities. We can also save energy by investing in more energy efficient products that reduce both our energy bills and our environmental footprint. Energy saving tips 7 ways to save energy 1. Heating: turn…
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Critical Minerals
…nickel, cobalt, manganese and graphite are crucial to battery performance. Rare earth elements are essential indispensable to the permanent magnets used in wind turbines and electric vehicle motors. Electricity networks need a huge amount of aluminium and copper, the latter of which is the cornerstone of all electricity-related technologies. As demand for these materials grows strongly, their strategic importance has also increased – and policymakers have made ensuring secure and resilient mineral supply chains a major priority. Critical Minerals Security Programme The IEA Critical Minerals Security Programme is the Agency’s flagship framework designed to help countries strengthen mineral security…
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Energy and Gender
It comprises a number of senior officials from IEA Member countries, facilitating the exchange of best practices on gender equality and inclusion and gender mainstreaming across the energy sector. Women are vital energy consumers, producers and decision-makers who make a crucial contribution to global energy security and energy transitions. Building a more secure, fair and equitable energy future hinges on their active participation.Recognising this, the IEA’s Member countries have asked the Agency to focus on key issues at the nexus of energy and gender, from improving gender data collection to expanding analysis of the gender dimensions of…
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Energy and Water
Energy and water are deeply and fundamentally connected Water is essential for almost every aspect of producing energy, from electricity generation to fossil fuel extraction to biofuels cultivation. In fact, the energy sector accounts for roughly 10% of all global freshwater withdrawals. Meanwhile, energy is crucial to maintaining global water supply. It is needed to extract water from lakes, rivers and oceans; lift groundwater from aquifers and pump it through pipes and canals; and treat water and deliver it to users.This interdependence is set to intensify in the coming years. Each resource faces rising demand and growing constraints in many…