A report released at its triennial congress built the two energy scenarios - "Jazz" and "Symphony" - for the world over the next four decades.
Under the Jazz scenario, which envisages a market-led energy policy focused on energy access, affordability and quality of supply, total primary energy supply could increase by 61 percent by 2050.
The government-led Symphony scenario -- focused on environmental sustainability and energy security -- envisages an increase of 27 percent.
While both scenarios see a significant increase in energy access, the rate of that increase will remain insufficient.
Globally, between 730 million and 880 million people will still be without access to electricity in 2030, predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa. The figures would only decrease to 319 million and 530 million by 2050, the report said.
The WEC report put required investment in electricity generation alone at between 19 trillion USD and 25 trillion USD to meet demands in 2050.
While renewable energy is projected to increase rapidly, fossil fuels will continue to dominate the global energy mix, largely due to transport fuel needs, it said.
The report also laid out a host of challenges posed by population growth and accelerated urbanisation.
The Congress, from October 14-17, drew over 5,000 participants from 93 countries to discuss major challenges for the sector.-VNA
