
Every year the demand for electricity grows. Traditionally, the bulk of the demand has come from the OECD countries, which include the developed nations. However, there is rapid growth in the "developing countries." Of particular note is the growth associated with China and India.
Given the abundance of coal in many of the developed and developing countries, it seems likely that coal will play an increasingly important role in electricity production. This has implications for carbon dioxide emissions and other pollutants, as much of the new capacity in developing nations have limited pollution controls.

Yet with all this growth there are still other considerations for those who will still not have access to electricity. Also, recent reports have questioned if we have access to the coal we think we have. The economics of extraction and the legal access is impacted by graveyards, roadways, etc. An analysis of the Powder River Basin coal field reduced the reserve base by 50%. When we look closer, this may be the case with other fields too. So a 250 year supply is likely on the high side. Perhaps 100 years or so is more likely. We will see.

Yet with all this growth there are still other considerations for those who will still not have access to electricity. Currently in the millions, most of the world is expected to have an increase in electrification and a reduction of those without access to electricity. However, sub-Saharan Africa will increase those without access.

You get a striking view of this inequity (and population clustering) when viewing this well known composite image of the Earth viewed from space at night.


This is the end of the course material. Please complete the Lesson 13 quiz.