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

Tory claims dropping the Future Homes Standard will save buyers £50,000 simply don't add up
Efficiency

Tory claims dropping the Future Homes Standard will save buyers £50,000 simply don't add up

Andrew Warren explains how the Shadow Chancellor's claim weakening building standards will result in more affordable homes is based on some deeply questionable assumptions and ignores the cost savings more efficient homes deliver

Andrew Warren
clock 06 October 2026 • 6 min read
Study: Waste heat network rollout could cut social and affordable housing energy bills by £142m
Efficiency

Study: Waste heat network rollout could cut social and affordable housing energy bills by £142m

Warming 70,000 new social and affordable homes with waste heat and large air source heat pumps would prove far cheaper than electric panel heating, study finds

Stuart Stone
Stuart Stone
clock 25 September 2026 • 5 min read
Poll: Over two thirds of households taking steps to curb energy demand
Efficiency

Poll: Over two thirds of households taking steps to curb energy demand

New survey for End Fuel Poverty Coalition reveals divide between 'energy savers' and 'energy strugglers'

James Murray
James Murray
clock 19 August 2026 • 5 min read