General trends in the world energy requirements and production during the coming half century

These papers summarize the present ideas concerning the world energy requirements and production sources up to the following horizons: 2020 and 2050. They cover also the various fuel reserves (coal, oil, gas and nuclear), their geographical localisation as well as their technical and economical accessibility and their impact on the environment. The energy policy of the European Union is presented, along with the France's; however, their evolution will also depend on the world economical and political context. The conclusion is there will be no shortage of energy during the next century, but an increase in its cost is highly probable. It will imply a careful choice of processes and a permanent hunt on energy wasting. (author)