The World's civilisation development depends on a constant, stable and safe energy inflow, realised through the use of a variety of energy carriers. At present, energy recovery and its distribution are the global problem to be faced by the humanity. The łąck or deficiency of energy means no harmony and disturbed development of various countries and regions throughout the world, political stress and sometimes wars for the energy sources. Its excess, on the other hand, may signify ecological hazard. Therefore, a balanced demand for energy, its frugal use, application of Iow energy-consumption technologies and energies having limited environmental impact arę most desirable in such a situation. Global power safety should not limit to the individuał countries but to regions and even the whole world. Power markets for the individual energy carriers enter configurations in the form of power systems, thus increasing the level of power safety of the participating countries. The paper gives a presentation of trends in energy consumption in the World, Europe, and also in Poland. It has been emphasised that the power problems are global problems as far as energy sources, power markets and ecology are concerned. The growing demand for energy is conditioned by two factors: demographic changes and environmental regimes. In the coming century, hydrocarbons will still play an important role, mainly natural gas (by 28-29% in the Worlds energy balance in 2050). Brown and hard coals will be employed as well, especially that their resources exceed those of the hydrocarbon's. A variety of highly efficient technologies of coal application are perfected. Nonetheless, natural gas, being a clean fuel, easy for transportation and distribution, is competitive to other energy sources (despite the high cost of prospecting and exploitation). Gas accessibility is limited by the location of gas deposits and high cost of gas transportation and investments in gas industry in general In view of these arguments, a coal-gas model seems to be most reasonable in the Polish conditions. It still awaits elaboration and implementation.