Shift in lighting technologies to dim energy use by end of decade

A fundamental paradigm shift in lighting technologies toward more efficient lamps and bulbs will significantly reduce global electricity demand for general illumination in the next few years, according to IHS Technology. The energy usage of the installed base of lighting technologies for general illumination will fall to a projected 2.75 trillion kilowatt-hours (kWh) by 2020, down a notable 24 percent from 3.61 trillion kWh last year. Overall, the installed base for general lighting-which covers homes, businesses and street lamps but not architectural or theatrical lighting-will account for 10.3 percent of the net electricity generated in 2020, down from 16.4 percent in 2013.