Record-breaking temperatures in 2024 have led to a sharp increase in global electricity consumption, primarily due to heightened cooling demands and rising electric vehicle sales. With electricity usage up 2.2% compared to previous years, air conditioning accounts for a significant portion of this surge. Additionally, the transport sector saw an 8% rise in electricity demand. Despite the challenges, 80% of the increased demand has been met with clean energy sources.
Record-Breaking Temperatures and Their Impact on Electricity Consumption
The year 2024 has been characterized by unprecedented heat waves, leading to an extraordinary surge in the demand for cooling solutions. This spike in cooling needs has significantly contributed to the increase in global electricity usage.
In addition to the soaring temperatures, the rise in electric vehicle sales and the growth of energy-intensive industries have further driven the need for electricity. A recent analysis from the International Energy Agency (IEA) reveals that energy demand has experienced its most substantial upswing in a decade, with a remarkable increase of 2.2% in 2024, compared to the annual average of 1.3% from 2013 to 2023.
This trend has been primarily influenced by electricity consumption, which saw nearly 1,100 terawatt-hours (TWh) more being used than the previous year—an amount that exceeds France’s total annual consumption. The core contributors to this increase include the electrification of automobiles and the heightened need for air conditioning due to the scorching temperatures observed throughout 2024.
The Rising Demand for Cooling Solutions
It may not have gone unnoticed, but 2024 has officially become the hottest year on record, overtaking 2023, which now ranks as the second hottest. With continuously escalating temperatures and frequent heatwaves affecting regions like China, India, and the United States, air conditioning systems have faced an unprecedented demand.
The IEA reports that cooling requirements have surged by 20% when compared to the years between 2000 and 2020. In fact, 2024’s heatwaves were responsible for 20% of the global electricity consumption increase. Overall, electricity demand from buildings has risen by 60% due to the surge in air conditioning usage.
This heightened reliance on cooling solutions has also had repercussions on CO2 emissions. The increased use of air conditioning has led to a rise in coal consumption, perpetuating a detrimental cycle: higher air conditioning demand results in increased CO2 emissions, thereby exacerbating global warming.
Electric Vehicle Sales Drive Electricity Demand
The surge in electricity demand has been significantly influenced by the growing electrification of vehicles. According to the IEA, the transport sector experienced an 8% increase in electricity demand in 2024. Notably, global electric vehicle sales soared by 25%, with 17 million units sold compared to 14 million in 2023.
China has dominated the electric vehicle market, accounting for two-thirds of global sales. In the United States, the launch of new models and tax incentives has spurred market growth. Conversely, the European Union saw a 6% decrease in sales, despite a notable rise in the UK, largely due to the removal of subsidies for electric vehicle purchases in Germany at the end of 2023.
Alongside the demand for air conditioning and electric vehicles, the increase in electricity consumption in 2024 was also supported by heightened manufacturing activities and growing needs from data centers.
On a positive note, the overall increase in electricity demand has mainly been met by clean energy sources. In fact, 80% of this demand surge was satisfied through nuclear energy and renewable resources.