400 billion/kWh rise in energy use projected for 2050
The study, which examines eight industries that collectively contributed to 98 per cent of the EU’s industrial energy consumption in 2013, predicts a 13 per cent rise in energy usage, with the chemicals and pharmaceutical industry showing an estimated growth in consumption of over 40 per cent to 80,000kTOE (kilotonne of oil equivalent) by 2050.
The iron and steel sector is projected to increase its energy usage by 15 per cent over the 34 year period, while the petroleum refineries, food and drink, pulp, paper and print, non-metallic minerals, non-ferrous metal and machinery industries are all expected to lower their energy intensity.
The petroleum refineries sector is predicted to reduce consumption by 23 per cent, with the food and drink sector also expected to bring down its usage by 18 per cent, while the non-metallic minerals and non-ferrous metals sectors are on course to stay consistent through to 2050.
The paper states that despite the disruption in the EU financial crisis most sectors have recorded increasing growth trends in the uptake of energy efficiency solutions, with the study citing market competitiveness as the main influence on their rise in popularity.
