Future Prospects for the Energy Sector

Abstract

Current forecasts of energy and electricity demand growth to the end of this century are critically reviewed and attention is drawn to the heavy burden that financing this expansion will impose, especially on the developing countries. Supply-side investment is likely to be constrained by financing problems and by growing sensitivity to the environmental impact of energy production; both will need to be addressed if the world demand for energy is to be satisfied. The prospects for the exploitation of domestic energy resources in the United Kingdom are then examined and the different scenarios that might be set up are discussed. The major part of the energy sector will eventually pass into private hands and increased weight will be placed on market forces to balance a multienergy economy. Finally, the scope available to suppliers of goods and services is briefly mentioned, as is the support to be sought from aid and financing agencies to overcome the funding problems that potential developers are likely to face.