"The problem with energy efficiency is that it paradoxically tends to increase consumption."
Where's the evidence for that? Electricity consumption in most developed countries has been declining since around the mid-2000s.
Here in the UK, total electricity demand peaked in 2005 and has declined every year since, in spite of population growth (and more air conditioners!). Demand in 2017 was around 15% lower than in 2005, with about a 10% higher population.