BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 23. Global electricity
demand is projected to nearly double by 2035, increasing from
20,000 terawatt-hours to 40,000 terawatt-hours, Pradeep Tharakan,
Director of Energy Transition at the Asian Development Bank (ADB),
said at the Regional Ecological Summit in Astana, Trend reports.
Tharakan emphasized that electricity consumption is expanding at
nearly twice the rate of overall energy demand, underscoring the
urgent need for countries to accelerate the adoption of renewable
energy sources to meet future requirements.
"The electricity demand will rise sharply, and renewable energy
will be central to addressing this increase," Tharakan noted,
attributing the surge primarily to the electrification of key
sectors, including heating, cooling, transportation, and
industry.
In response to this accelerated growth, the ADB is prioritizing
support for the energy transition through the deployment of clean
technologies and regional collaboration. Tharakan highlighted the
ongoing shift toward an "Electrostate" model, in which nations
increasingly rely on electricity generated from renewable sources,
citing China’s leadership in both domestic deployment and global
export of clean energy technologies.
He further stressed the critical role of regional energy
interconnections and infrastructure development, observing that
Central Asia requires substantial upgrades to its transmission
lines to accommodate rising electricity demand and the integration
of renewable energy.
"Without the necessary transmission infrastructure, a successful
energy transition is impossible. Collaborative efforts are
essential to ensure the efficient delivery of renewable energy
throughout the region," he added.
The ADB is actively supporting projects in Central Asia aimed at
modernizing energy grids, facilitating the transition from coal to
clean energy, and establishing green energy corridors to enhance
regional connectivity with Europe.
