China's Energy Use to Double U.S.'s by 2040

China's energy use is expected to be double that of the U.S.'s by 2040, according to the Energy Information Administration's (EIA) newly released International Energy Outlook 2013.

Despite a recent drop in GDP growth to 7.2%, the EIA predicts that China's economic growth, and relatively inefficient energy use, will propel energy consumption to 220 quadrillion Btu in 2040, compared to 107 for the United States, and 55 for India.

Source: EIA.gov 

While the EIA predicts increases in China's use of renewables, natural gas, liquids, and electricity for its industrial sector, coal will still account for around 50% of consumption in 2040.

In electricity markets, China's going full steam ahead with nuclear. The Administration expects China to increase its nuclear capacity by around 16 times, equivalent to 40% of worldwide net increases in nuclear over the next three decades.