In 2005, world energy consumption was 17,300,000 GWh. The U.S.—while representing only 4.6% of the global population—consumed an astounding 22.7% of the world’s energy (to the tune of 3,816,000 GWh). Energy fuels the modern economy; the average American uses 900% more electrical energy than does the average Chinese and 3,000% more than the typical consumer in India. Only eight other countries use more electrical energy per person. These include Canada, Finland, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Norway, Qatar, Sweden and Iceland. Icelanders use 200% more energy than Americans.

From 1990 to 2000, worldwide electrical energy use increased by 12.4%, a greater increase than had been seen in previous decades. This increase is due primarily to the adoption of new technology by developing countries—more and more consumers are transitioning to a modernized, energy-dependent status. This new lifestyle includes the use of devices such as radios, televisions, refrigerators, lights, microwaves, air-conditioning, and water heaters.

In the U.S., household appliances represent 64.7% of energy used, whereas refrigerators and lighting represent 14% and 9% respectively. Because American homes and businesses are saturated with modern technologies and appliances, our domestic energy growth is projected to be only 1.8% from 2005 to 2025. (This compared to a global growth rate of 2.4%.) China’s increasing energy consumption requirements for individuals, corporations, and industrial applications is creating greater and greater energy demands—at 4.3%, their needs are growing more than twice as fast as those of the United States. India also has a rapid growth rate of 3.3%.

2005 to 2025 will see global energy use grow an incredible 1.8 times, to 30,398 trillion KWh. This will result in intensive investments aimed at building new power plants—beginning in 2025, these plants will have to provide an additional 13,078 trillion KWh of energy per year.