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The oil crisis in the 1970s has made us recognize that oil is a
finite source of energy and that we must look to alternatives. The
crisis also triggered a recession in the industrialized countries, which
changed the energy demand picture. It taught us to be more efficient in
energy use and to conserve energy. It led to a levelling-off of primary
energy demand, in some cases even a reduction, in the industrialized
countries. But electricity demand continued to rise, closely following
the trend of the gross domestic product. Indeed, what we have witnessed
is how electricity has replaced oil in many industrial processes and in
heating. Its higher efficiency in end use and its flexibility has led to
energy savings. That is also one of the reasons why I believe that
developing countries must stress electricity as an energy form for
development.
In the non-oil producing developing countries, the oil crisis
drastically increased energy costs. In many, which were dependent on oil
imports, this led to high foreign debts. Indeed, sadly some of these
countries are now in such severe debt that they can hardly present the
capital to invest in the new energy systems, which could help to diminish
the oil imports.
The oil crisis boosted the interest in nuclear power and many new
plants were ordered, e.g. in the USA. In France, a major new nuclear
power programme was launched with the objective of reducing oil
dependence. The big French programme has been very successful and oil
now accounts for only 46% of primary energy needs in France, compared to
78% in 1973. In the USA, the electricity demand had been growing at 6 to
7% per year for more than 20 years, much lower rate of increase due to
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