Energy Demand and the Shadow of Recession

In the face of oil production cuts by Saudi Arabia and some OPEC members, the energy supply is shrinking again. This is in response to fears of an impending recession, higher inventories in some key countries, and an attempt to keep prices at a certain level. Turning to renewables is now essential to reduce dependence and increase resilience to energy insecurity, while non-renewable energy sources continue to show signs of unpredictability and harmful dependence. Economic outlooks vary from country to country. However, the link between energy demand and economic forecasts is stronger than ever. In this policy brief, we look at recent crude oil supply cuts, recession concerns and the outlook for renewable energy markets. In response to the different economic outlooks, a clear distinction is made between developing and developed countries, resulting in an energy demand that is more likely to come from countries such as China and India than from the major developed countries.