Official predictions of future energy use have one thing in common - they are all wrong

clock • 5 min read

Andrew Warren argues that for 50 years governments have over-predicted future energy use, and they are continuing to make the same mistake

For the past 50 years, the UK government has issued many projections estimating future demand for energy. These have varied greatly, especially regarding the predicted market share of different fuels 15...

To continue reading this article...

Join BusinessGreen

In just a few clicks you can start your free BusinessGreen Lite membership for 12 months, providing you access to:

  • Three complimentary articles per month covering the latest real-time news, analysis, and opinion from Europe’s leading source of information on the Green economy and business
  • Receive important and breaking news stories via our daily news alert
  • Our weekly newsletter with the best of the week’s green business news and analysis

Join now

 

Already a BusinessGreen member?

Login

More on Efficiency

Smart Energy Coalition launches to address AI and data centre challenges

Smart Energy Coalition launches to address AI and data centre challenges

Danfoss, Mitie, AstraZeneca, and Schneider Electric among more than 100 members of rebranded Climate Group coalition

Stuart Stone
clock 16 October 2025 • 3 min read
How productivity gains could slash energy demand by a quarter by 2050

How productivity gains could slash energy demand by a quarter by 2050

Energy Transitions Commission argues energy productivity gains would allow the economy to still grow, while using less energy and displacing fossil fuels

clock 15 October 2025 • 7 min read
Kew Gardens teams up with Schneider Electric in pursuit of 'climate positivity' by 2030

Kew Gardens teams up with Schneider Electric in pursuit of 'climate positivity' by 2030

Energy management giant to support decarbonisation, electrification, and energy efficiency efforts at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew

Stuart Stone
clock 03 September 2025 • 3 min read