The growth of our electricity needs : will it be endless ?

Giant screens, internet gateways, espresso machines, robot cleaners, etc. We continue accumulating devices on top of our existing appliances. As a result, a continuous increase of our electricity consumption, and the need for more supply. Is it really inevitable ?

Giant screens, internet gateways, espresso machines, robot cleaners, etc. We continue accumulating devices on top of our existing appliances. As a result, a continuous increase of our electricity consumption, and the need for more supply. Is it really inevitable ?

After forty years of sustained growth, the French household electricity consumption is in reality now flattening, thanks to EU regulations making appliances more and more energy efficient.

‘In all studied scenarios, the residential electricity consumption growth drops after 2015. This is mostly due to the increasing impacts of building and equipment regulations.’ (RTE – French electricity grid authority).

Still, the French level of electricity consumption remains relatively high compared to that of neighbours like Germany. A difference partly due to a slower penetration of the most efficient appliances. France misses substantial energy saving potentials.

Thus, a steeper downward trend on residential electricity needs is conceivable. Using best in class equipment instead of the least efficient allowed on the market still makes a huge difference (from 20 % to 80 % energy saving according to the product). This way, more than 1,000 kWh of electricity use can be saved by a French household annually, meaning more than € 200 on energy bills. Additional saving potentials are also reachable by using appliances more reasonably and wisely.

However, it is not certain that the new downward trend will go on as planned should new major electricity uses be developed, such as recharging electric vehicles at home.