Predicting Energy Consumption in the 21st Century

My colleague Gary Tulie sent me this, explaining how energy use in the UK is falling, despite an improving economy.

I feel sorry for people whose job is predicting the energy markets of the future—and for precisely this reason.  Yes, the world is experiencing a huge growth in the raw numbers of energy consumers.  The planet’s population is growing overall, and the average power consumption per capita is growing on top of that, as the enormous flow of humanity continues to make its way from rural to urban Asia, and as these folks continue to pursue their dreams of a consumer lifestyle.

But what about the developed world, with its already existing voracious energy appetite?  Here we are looking at dramatic new energy efficiency solutions, as well as sensibilities re: the environment.

Will one balance out the other?  Heck if I know.