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|b World primary energy consumption - including oil, natural gas, coal, nuclear and hydro power - grew by 3.1% in 2007, then declined to 1.4% in 2008; the slowest growth since 2001. \ The most rapid growth in energy demand from 2005 to 2030 is projected for nations outside the OECD. The Non-OECD countries primary energy consumption increases by 85%, in the reference case projection, as compared with 19% for OECD countries, and the Non-OECD global GDP will increase by 5.2% per year compared with 2.3% for OECD. Natural Gas accounted for the majority of primary energy consumption growth. \ The reference case is the main projection concern in this study. It reflects a scenario in which current laws and policies remain unchanged through the projected period. In this scenario on world commercial energy consumption is projected to grow by 50% over the 2005 to 2030 period. \ World consumption of natural gas in 2007 rose by 3.1% compared with its level in 2006, and declined by 2.7% in 2008 compared with its level in 2007. The World consumption of natural gas totaled about 3018.6 billion cubic meters in 2008, against about 2937.9 billion in 2007. The share of natural gas in the world's total commercial energy consumption rose from 23.9% in 2007 to 24.1% \ in 2008, which is the highest in the decade. \ World electricity generation increased by 117% from 1980 to 2005 and projected to account for 99% in 2030, with annual growth of 2.6%. Natural Gas is the fuel of choice used in clean power generation. It's projected share in the world's total power generation rose from 19.6% in 2005 to 25.2% in 2030, with an annual growth of 3.7%, which is the highest compare with other kinds of fuel used. The electrical power generation in the Arab countries witnessed a remarkable increase in the number of power generation stations. The share of Arab power generation in the world rose from 1.2% in 1980 to 3.3% in 2005, and is projected reach to 4.3% in 2030. The Arab countries experienced growth in power generation at various rates. The highest rate was 44.5%, recorded in Saudi Arabia in the period 1980 to 2005, with projected growth in power generation of 132% by 2030. Egypt is the second in power generation growth. \ The share of natural gas consumption in Arab power generation rose from 43% in 1998 to 55% in 2005, the projected to increase to 63% in 2030. \ Natural gas is the main fuel used in power generation and water desalination in Arab countries. During the last 25 years. The Arab Gulf Countries invested about 40 billion dollar to construct 550 water desalination plants to provide about 85% of the GCC needs of potable water. The paper deals with all these aspects
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