COP31 Presidency proposes '35 by 35' electrification goal as infrastructure readiness is questioned
By Eve
The COP31 Presidency of Türkiye and Australia has proposed raising electricity's share of global final energy consumption from around 20% today to 35% by 2035. In a commentary, Mike Torbitt of Cressall Resistors warns that electrification risks outpacing supporting infrastructure, citing the IEA's Electricity 2026 report forecast of average global demand growth of 3.6% a year between 2026 and 2030. Demand is expected to come from industrial electrification, electric vehicles, air conditioning and data centres, putting pressure on distribution networks, substations and industrial electrical systems.
Why it matters
High-power charging hubs are named alongside factories and data centres as loads that need sufficient grid capacity plus appropriate protection and control systems. CPOs and procurement teams should expect competition for network upgrades and should specify equipment that responds safely to changing operating conditions.
Source
- Original title
- “Is our infrastructure ready for global electrification?”
- Published
- 9 November 2026
- Updated
- 10 November 2026
In this story
- Topic
- Grid & Energy
- Place
- Global
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