Energy use in the developing world is continuing to rise, even as parts of the globe remain largely disconnected, energy ministers and industry leaders heard at the World Energy Congress in Montreal Monday, according to dpa. "One and a half to 2 million people have no access to energy," said Johannes Teyssen, head of German energy firm Eon and a European leader of the congress. "Africa remains a dark continent." The World Energy Congress meets every three years to bring together leaders in the energy sector, including energy providers, politicians and representatives from oil-producing countries. The meeting hopes to help lay the groundwork for the next global meeting on climate change set for December in Mexico. A record 6,000 participants have gathered in Montreal for this year's World Energy Congress, which run through Thursday. Attendees include General Director of the World Trade Organization Pascal Lamy, Shell chief Peter Voser and Siemens energy head Wolfgang Dehen, as well as 70 energy ministers from around the world. Topics are to include the debate over renewable energy in industrial countries and concerns that energy production keep up with economic development in developing countries. Energy use is projected to grow 40 per cent in the next 20 years, with three-quarters coming from fossil fuels.
