LONDON, Feb 29 Reuters Global oil demand will grow by 1.9 million barrels per day bpd this year, according to a prediction by energy research company Wood Mackenzie, a forecast close to the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries39; OPEC estimate for 2024.

In remarks shared with delegates at a Wood Mac briefing on Wednesday during the Energy Institute conference in London, the firm39;s vice president of oils research Alan Gelder predicted, like most other forecasters, that the bulk of that rise would come from China and India.

Forecasts for oil demand growth in 2024 differ dramatically, reflecting contrasting views on how quickly the world will shift from fossil fuels. OPEC believes oil use will keep rising over the next two decades, while the IEA, which represents industrialised countries, predicts it will peak by 2030.

OPEC expects another year of relatively strong demand growth of 2.25 million bpd, while the International Energy Agency expects much slower growth of 1.22 million bpd.

Meanwhile, a wideranging Reuters survey showed most analysts expect global oil demand to grow by somewhere between 1 million and 1.5 million bpd in 2024.

Wood Mac39;s prediction for demand growth in 2025 is lower at 1.4 million bpd. OPEC expects growth of 1.85 million bpd in 2025, while the IEA is expected to reveal its 2025 prediction in April.

OPEC has implemented output cuts since late 2022 to support the market, as output in the U.S. and other nonmember producers has…