The world will need all forms of energy over the next 25 years to meet the increased demand, which will be driven by population growth, improved living standards and growing urbanization. This is one of the conclusions of the Outlook for Energy: Prospects for 2040 prepared by ExxonMobil annually and was first presented in Brazil, yesterday (18) at the Brazilian Institute of Oil, Gas and Biofuels (IBP) in Rio de January.

"Understanding the trends of world energy is absolutely essential for efficient energy policy," said Rex W. Tillerson, chairman and CEO of Exxon Mobil Corporation. "The world depends on the development of safe, inexpensive and reliable power to support economic growth and modern way of life."

In its annual review, ExxonMobil makes projections on future energy needs, whose expected growth will be 35% higher in 2040 compared to 2010. This increase will be supported by practical and energy-saving technologies, increased fuels with low carbon emissions - such as natural gas, nuclear energy and renewable energy - as well as the continuous development of technological advances to develop new energy sources. Without gains in efficiency, global energy demand will grow by more than 100%.

Increasing energy demand will be driven by population growth - the expectation is that the world population will reach about 9 billion by 2040 (currently number 7 billion) - and by the doubling of the global economy (annual growth rate of about 3%) in much of the developing world, where rising living standards will continue to lift millions out of poverty.

The study estimates that oil and natural gas will continue to meet about 60% of energy needs by 2040 in the world. Liquid fuels - gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and fuel oil - will remain the main energy choice for most transport by offering a unique combination of affordability, availability, portability and high power density.

A 25% increase in oil demand, driven by an increase in the activity of commercial transport, will be entertained through technological advances that will allow deepwater production and exploitation of oil sands and light oil.

Natural gas will remain the fuel source with the highest and fastest growing, with demand expected to increase in 65%. Natural gas will be responsible for supplying over 25% of energy needs in 2040, and is expected to surpass coal as the major source of electricity.
Nuclear energy will also have solid growth, led by Asia-Pacific region, where it is expected that the production cross 3% in 2010 to nearly 9% in 2040. Renewable energy sources - including traditional biomass, hydro and geothermal as well as wind, solar and biofuels - will grow approximately 60%. Wind, solar and biofuel energy will probably composed around 4% of the energy supply in 2040, going from 1% in 2010.

The energy sources used to generate electricity had remain the major components of global demand and is expected to grow by more than 50% by 2040. The increase reflects the expected 90% increase in electricity use, led by developing countries, where 1.3 billion people currently lack access to electricity.

The energy landscape is the overall long-term vision of ExxonMobil on the demand and supply of energy. Their findings help guide investments that support the company's business strategy. The Panorama is developed by observing the trends of supply and demand of energy in more than 100 countries and 15 sectors such as transport, industry and electricity generation. Twenty different types of energy that will be available to consumers in the future are valued, while taking into account reviews of future technologies, government policies and international trade flows.