Energy needs and supply options for developing countries

In bulk of the developing countries, the consumption of commercial energy has increased rather rapidly, though a few of them still continue to derive their main energy needs for subsistence from the traditional fuels. This paper presents the patterns of energy consumption in developing countries (a group of about 130 countries) and the developed countries (about 27) illustrating the regional differences. A quantitative study of demographic and economic parameters show. increasing income levels in terms of People's Purchasing Power (PPP) and also an increasing energy intensity causing serious environmental disorders in many developing countries. China, India, Korea and Mexico are amongst the world's top twelve carbon emitters along with the top economies of the world. These countries at the same time show very different urban and rural energy consumption patterns. Estimates in any case show a definite decline in traditional energy use and increasing dependence on fossil fuels. Case of India has been taken as an illustration. Any global effort therefore for sustainable energy development has to consider the developments in the developing countries. Various options for decreasing energy consumption and reducing environmental pollution have been discussed with cost estimates. The paper generates arguments about increasing international cooperation for energy supply in the developing countries.