JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, August 26, 2002 (ENS) - Some 1.6 billion people today have no access to electricity, while 2.4 billion rely on primitive biomass for cooking and heating. In the absence of "radical" new policies, 1.4 billion will still have no electricity in 30 years time, according to a new study by the International Energy Agency released today at the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

The International Energy Agency (IEA), based in Paris, is an autonomous agency linked with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), a group of the world's industrialized nations.

The study points to "enormous" new investments needed to supply energy to growing economies.

"We are not on a sustainable energy path unless we make considerable changes," said Robert Priddle, IEA executive director. "A secure supply of energy to underpin essential economic activity and provide services to society is essential if sustainable development is to be achieved."

In transition. A solar powered filling station dispensing gasoline in Perivale, UK. These grid-connected, roof mounted PV modules generate electricity to power the pumps and lights under the canopy. (Photo courtesy BP Solarex)

In its new study, "Energy & Poverty," the IEA shows the magnitude and future trends in what it terms "the vicious circle of energy and poverty."

"We believe that energy supplies are secure only so long as they are produced and used in an environmentally sensitive manner," said Priddle.

The study is one chapter in the next edition of the IEA's biennial world energy projections, the "World Energy Outlook 2002," due for release in Osaka, Japan on September 21. These findings from the study have been made available now because of their direct relevance to the World Summit on Sustainable Development, where energy is one of the central themes, the agency said.

The World Energy Outlook presents projections till the year 2030 for supply and demand of oil, gas, coal, renewable energy sources, nuclear power and electricity covering the world and 18 major regions.

It draws conclusions for energy security, trade and investment, and assesses energy related carbon dioxide emissions and policies designed to reduce them.

This Advanced Vehicle Systems hybrid electric/propane bus is operated by Silicon Valley Power in Santa Clara, California. (Photo courtesy U.S. DOE Office of Transportation Technologies)

Sustainable transportation systems are essential, since transport is the fastest growing use of energy worldwide, the IEA says. Rapidly increasing populations and vehicle usage have created gridlock and sprawl, as well as exceptionally high levels of air pollution, noise and accident rates.

A new IEA publication, "Bus Systems for the Future, Achieving Sustainable Transport Worldwide," shows how new transit systems can revolutionize urban travel using clean diesel, compressed natural gas, hybrid-electric and fuel cell powered buses.

Xcellsis P4 fuel cell bus engine operated by SunLine Transit Agency, Thousand Palms, California (Photo by Richard Parish courtesy NREL )

Calling it "sustainable development in action," IEA member countries work to enable developing countries and transition economies to adopt clean technologies and best practices through the Climate Technology Initiative, providing design and technology assistance along with training and capacity building programs.