Dr Angela Wilkinson: the 5Ds of Energy Transitions

“Managing multiple energy transitions is a historic unprecedented challenge”

Dr Angela Wilkinson, Secretary General and CEO of the World Energy Council, outlines the “5Ds” of energy transitions – Diversity, Decarbonisation, Digitalisation, Decentralisation, Disruption – and the importance of managing them to facilitate fairer, faster, and more far reaching transitions in this video clip:

This clip was taken from Episode 3 of the Dubai Futures Forum’s docuseries “Our Changing World”. Watch the full episode here.

source

World Energy Council Opens Applications for 2024 Future Energy Leaders Programme

London, 20 May 2024 – The World Energy Council is excited to announce that applications for the 2024 cohort of the prestigious Future Energy Leaders programme are now open. Successful applicants will join a vibrant global community, gaining exclusive access to the World Energy Council’s events including the esteemed World Energy Congress, and playing a critical role in shaping the future of global energy systems by sharing their experiences and viewpoints in Council Insights reports and tools.

The Future Energy Leaders programme is a cornerstone of the Council’s commitment to fostering new and effective modes of cooperation amid evolving energy demands. It highlights the indispensable contribution of young leadership in navigating and addressing the challenges of tomorrow’s energy landscape. Last year, the programme welcomed 50 new leaders, reflecting its ongoing success and impact.

The programme is seeking talented individuals who meet the following criteria:

• Solid interest and proven track record in energy or energy +; the CV indicates a specific achievement and the potential to become a leader in their field
• 3-5 years of junior management experience in an energy-related field
• Highly motivated and encouraged to work with the World Energy Council, and ready to commit to becoming a member of the exclusive Global Future Energy Leader community and remain engaged for at least one up to typically three years
• Advanced level of English
• Not more than 35 years old at the time of application
• Availability for at least 15 days of contact time with the development programme (20 days in Congress years).
• Validation by an employer

Interested candidates can find more information here.

The application deadline is June 10, 2024, at 17:00 (GMT).

Join us in shaping the future of global energy and become part of an elite group of professionals leading the way in sustainable energy solutions.

About the World Energy Council

The World Energy Council is the world’s oldest independent and impartial community of energy leaders and practitioners. Through our Humanising Energy vision, we involve more people and communities in accelerating clean and inclusive energy transitions in all world regions. Formed in 1923, the Council is a UN-accredited global energy body that has convened diverse interests from across the full energy ecosystem for a century, and today has over 3,000 member organisations and a presence in more than 100 countries. Our global network draws from governments, private and state corporations, academia and civil society, as well as current and future energy leaders. We collaborate on impact programmes and inform local, regional and global energy agendas in support of our enduring mission: to promote the sustainable use and supply of energy for the benefit of all people. Further details at www.worldenergy.org and on LinkedIn and Twitter.

source

World Energy Council Welcomes Burkina Faso as Newest Member Committee

The World Energy Council is pleased to announce the addition of Burkina Faso as its newest Member Committee. This expansion, which builds on the Council’s presence in more than 100 countries, reflects the organisation’s ongoing commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive global energy dialogue and supporting sustainable energy development across Africa.

Dr Angela Wilkinson, Secretary General and CEO of the World Energy Council, expressed her enthusiasm about Burkina Faso’s membership:

“We are delighted to welcome Burkina Faso to the World Energy Council community, adding more leadership voices of the Global South and rejuvenating our world energy compact for impact. We know that in most of Africa, energy is an existential issue and that the need for resilience and justice, as well as access to finance and technology, is framing Africa’s decarbonisation pathways. As the oldest and preeminent world energy community, the Council remains committed to promoting the sustainable supply and use of energy for the greatest benefit of ALL people.”

Dr Omar Farouk Ibrahim, Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization and the World Energy Council’s Chair for Africa, highlighted the importance of Burkina Faso’s inclusion:

“The addition of Burkina Faso strengthens the Council’s presence in Africa and enhances our collective efforts to advance energy access, security, and sustainability across the continent. We are excited to work with Burkina Faso to harness their potential and drive forward innovative energy solutions.”

Baba Ahmed Coulibaly, Chair of the Burkina Faso Member Committee, also shared their perspective:

“Joining the World Energy Council is a significant milestone for Burkina Faso. We are eager to contribute to the global energy dialogue and to collaborate with other member countries to develop sustainable and resilient energy systems. This partnership will support our national energy goals and help us to better serve our communities.”

As a new member, Burkina Faso will actively participate in the World Energy Council’s initiatives, contributing to global energy discussions and benefiting from the shared knowledge and experiences of other member committees. This collaboration will support Burkina Faso’s efforts to enhance its energy infrastructure, improve energy access, and promote sustainable energy practices.

About the World Energy Council 

The World Energy Council is the world’s oldest independent and impartial community of energy leaders and practitioners. Through our Humanising Energy vision, we involve more people and communities in accelerating clean and inclusive energy transitions in all world regions. Formed in 1923, the Council is a UN-accredited global energy body that has convened diverse interests from across the full energy ecosystem for a century, and today has over 3,000 member organisations and a presence in more than 100 countries. Our global network draws from governments, private and state corporations, academia and civil society, as well as current and future energy leaders. We collaborate on impact programmes and inform local, regional and global energy agendas in support of our enduring mission: to promote the sustainable use and supply of energy for the benefit of all people.

###

source

World Energy Scenario Foundations 2024 Now Available

The recent Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the conflict in Gaza, geopolitical realignments, the rise of AI, and the consequences of severe, climate-change-related weather events have all profoundly affected the global economy and global energy system.

An in-depth project to build new scenarios to 2050 is needed. The Council is offering reflections on what a new set of scenarios might look like.

Our new World Energy Scenario Foundations build upon elements of the 2019 World Energy Council scenarios and the lessons learned since then. Enriched by an updated comparison of global energy outlooks, scenarios and visions has been combined with regional deep-dive dialogues, they offer a glimpse of the foundations on which a new scenario set might be built, including specific views on designing for the future to realise significant opportunities.

As societies approach the global energy transition rapids, they are learning to navigate between #Rocks and #Rivers as we chart the multiple pathways required for fairer, faster and far-reaching energy transitions.

source

2024 World Energy Issues Monitor Reveals Increasing Uncertainty and Extreme Polarisation Impeding Progression of Global Energy Agenda

The World Energy Council’s latest World Energy Issues Monitor report, “Redesigning Energy in 5D”, assesses the global energy agenda based on the collective expertise and views of nearly 1,800 energy leaders in over 100 countries. Leaders were surveyed in early 2024, following the conclusion of the COP 28 conference in Dubai. The report provides a unique snapshot of leaders’ perceptions of what’s driving energy and energy transitions worldwide.

source

OPINION: Why we need to keep exploring for oil and gas, and triple our renewables capacity at the same time.

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of the Republic of Türkiye,  H.E. Dr. Alparslan Bayraktar

There is a growing global consensus on the necessity for transitioning to renewable energy sources. It is essential to recognize the nuanced complexities involved, particularly for emerging economies. Factors such as historical responsibility, capital availability, and rapidly increasing quality of life contribute to the intricacies of this process. Several countries in the developing world are becoming leaders in creating pragmatic energy policies to meet the rising energy demand and decarbonize simultaneously while others fail to create meaningful change. Such a transition period is a challenge but also a unique opportunity for a carefully curated solution set to the specific needs of a country. Several questions need to be answered throughout the process. Is the national grid ready to take on a new challenge with the population growing, alongside rising electrification and digitalization? Are we financially ready for such transitions? How ready are we to let go of fossil fuels, do we even need to let go of it completely?

In Türkiye, our energy objectives are multi-faceted including ensuring supply security, affordability, achieving net-zero emissions, and attaining energy independence. Any action should aim to achieve most if not all. For instance, a rapid adoption in renewables capacity contributes to energy independence, lowers the cost of electricity and is the backbone of decarbonizing the energy industry.

Critics may question Türkiye’s continued investment in oil and gas amidst global calls for decarbonization. Similar to renewables, increased activities in the oil and gas industry serve multiple objectives. Türkiye’s self-sufficiency in energy rose above 30% only very recently. This achievement has been the result of a balanced approach that includes both renewables adoption and hydrocarbon exploration and production to create domestic alternatives to the country’s oil and gas imports.

The global oil demand remains significant, with Türkiye contributing approximately 1 million barrels per day. It is not feasible nor rational to abruptly abandon fossil fuels without creating alternative pathways that ensure the welfare of our people and maintain our competitive position globally. A transition ignoring the reality may impact public opinion due to drastic increases in energy prices, jeopardizing public support for net-zero targets and turning the transition period into a missed opportunity.

In addition, Türkiye’s oil discoveries came with positive externalities for the region. Gabar, a region previously considered unsafe, is now known for discoveries that excite the entire nation. Rapid investment in the region will quickly bring prosperity to an underdeveloped region. Many who had emigrated in the past decades have returned to the region. A smooth and smart transition rather than a strict transition ensures a win-win conclusion to reach targets. Thus, Türkiye remains committed to a diversified energy portfolio, investing in both traditional and renewable energy sources.

For all nations, but especially for developing ones like Türkiye, we believe that the transition must be responsive, rational, flexible, and digital. The preparation for a smart energy transition comes with the acceptance that we are living in an age of change and innovation. It is essential to be aware of the emerging technologies and the availability of the options to be included in the energy mix. This is why Türkiye is the country that simultaneously hosts the world’s largest nuclear plant construction site, one of the largest offshore natural gas discoveries of recent years, platforms enabling regional trade of natural gas and oil, approximately an 80 GW pipeline of renewable projects, one of the largest rare earth mineral mining sites, a multi-billion-dollar investment plan for the electricity grid and ambitious energy efficiency targets, all at the same time. A collective and holistic approach to energy will give us a resilient national energy system.

The challenge undertaken by almost all countries, many private entities and international organizations have taught us the need for a collective, rather than individualistic approach to address the challenges of climate change. This mission cannot be accomplished alone. We extend an invitation for collaboration with the global community in various areas, including financing, trade, and technology exchange.

As we embark on this journey towards sustainability, it is crucial to recognize the complexities at play, particularly for emerging economies like Türkiye. By embracing pragmatism and collective effort, we are confident in our ability to overcome these challenges and build a brighter, more sustainable future for all.

Let’s change the narrative from energy transition to a smart energy transition.

source

Enerji ve Tabii Kaynaklar Bakanı Alparslan Bayraktar, Türkiye’nin hem geleneksel hem de yenilenebilir enerji kaynaklarına yatırım yaparak kaynak çeşitliliğine bağlı bir stratejiyi sürdürmeye devam edeceğini kaydetti.

Aynı zamanda Dünya Enerji Konseyi Türkiye Başkanı olan Bakan Bayraktar, “Neden hem petrol ve doğal gaz aramaya devam etmemiz hem de yenilenebilir enerji kapasitemizi üç katına çıkarmamız gerekiyor?” başlıklı bir makale kaleme aldı. Bakan Bayraktar, Dünya Enerji Konseyi’nin internet sitesinde yayınlanan yazısında enerjide dönüşüm ve yenilenebilir enerji kaynaklarına geçiş süreci ile ilgili düşüncelerini paylaştı.

Yenilenebilir Enerji Kaynaklarına Geçiş

Bakan Bayraktar, dünyanın yenilenebilir enerji kaynaklarına geçiş konusunda giderek hemfikir hale geldiğini kaydetti. Gelişmekte olan ekonomilerin bazılarının artan enerji talebini karşılarken aynı zamanda karbonsuzlaşma için de pragmatik enerji politikaları oluşturmada başarılı olduğunu söyledi. Bayraktar, bazı ülkelerin de bu konuda anlamlı bir değişim yaratamadığını vurgulayarak “Her geçiş dönemi zorludur ancak o ülkenin özel ihtiyaçlarına göre dikkatle seçilmiş bir çözüm seti oluşturmak için de eşsiz bir fırsattır.” ifadelerini kullandı.

Türkiye’nin Enerji Hedefleri

Türkiye’nin “Arz güvenliğinin sağlanması, uygun maliyet, net sıfır emisyona ulaşmak ve enerji bağımsızlığının elde edilmesi” gibi çok yönlü hedefleri

olduğuna değinen Bayraktar, herhangi bir eylem ile birçok hedefin gerçekleştirilebileceğini belirtti. “Örneğin, yenilenebilir enerji kapasitesinin hızlı bir şekilde artırılması enerji bağımsızlığına katkıda bulunur, elektrik maliyetlerini düşürür ve enerji endüstrisinin karbonsuzlaştırılmasının bel kemiğini oluşturur.” ifadelerini kullandı.

Dengeli Yaklaşım

Bayraktar, karbonsuzlaştırmaya yönelik küresel çağrılar bağlamında Türkiye’nin petrol ve doğal gaza yatırım yapmaya devam etmesinin sorgulanabileceğini kaydederek “Türkiye’nin enerjide kendi kendine yeterliliği çok yakın bir zamanda %30’un üzerine çıktı. Bu başarı, petrol ve doğal gaz ithalatına yerli alternatifler yaratmak için hem hidrokarbon arama ve üretimini hem de yenilenebilir enerji kaynaklarının artırılmasını içeren dengeli bir yaklaşımın sonucudur.” değerlendirmesinde bulundu.

Kaçırılmış Fırsata Dönüştürebilir

Türkiye’nin günlük 1 milyon varil petrol tüketimi bulunduğunun altını çizen Bayraktar, “Halkımızın refahını sağlayacak ve küresel rekabetçi konumumuzu koruyacak alternatif yollar yaratmadan fosil yakıtları aniden terk etmek ne mümkün ne de akılcıdır. Gerçekleri göz ardı eden bir geçiş, enerji fiyatlarındaki ciddi artışlar nedeniyle kamuoyunu etkileyebilir, net sıfır hedeflerine yönelik kamuoyu desteğini tehlikeye atabilir ve geçiş dönemini kaçırılmış bir fırsata dönüştürebilir.” ifadelerini kullandı.

Gabar’daki Petrol Keşfi

Bayraktar, Gabar’da günlük 40 bin varile ulaşan petrol üretimine değinerek “Gabar, artık tüm ulusu heyecanlandıran keşiflerle tanınıyor. Yapılan hızlı yatırımlar, bölgeye hızla refah getirecektir. Uzun yıllar göç veren bölge bugün göç alır duruma gelmiştir.” dedi. Bakan Bayraktar, Türkiye’nin hem

geleneksel hem de yenilenebilir enerji kaynaklarına yatırım yaparak çeşitlendirilmiş bir enerji portföyüne olan bağlılığını sürdürdüğünü ifade etti.

Enerjide Kolektif ve Bütüncül Yaklaşım

Enerjide dönüşümün Türkiye gibi gelişmekte olan ülkeler için duyarlı, rasyonel, esnek ve dijital olması gerektiğine inandığını belirten Bayraktar, şöyle devam etti:

Türkiye aynı anda dünyanın en büyük nükleer santral şantiyesine, son yılların en büyük açık deniz doğal gaz keşiflerinden birine, bölgesel doğal gaz ve petrol ticaretine olanak sağlayan platformlara, yaklaşık 80 GW’lık yenilenebilir enerji projelerine, en büyük nadir toprak elementleri sahalarından birine, elektrik şebekesi için milyarlarca dolarlık bir yatırım planına ve iddialı enerji verimliliği hedeflerine ev sahipliği yapan bir ülkedir. Enerjiye yönelik kolektif ve bütüncül bir yaklaşım bize dirençli bir ulusal enerji sistemi sağlayacaktır.

İş Birliği Çağrısı

İklim değişikliğine karşı mücadelede bireysel değil kolektif yaklaşımın önemine işaret eden Bayraktar, finansman, ticaret ve teknoloji alışverişi de dahil olmak üzere küresel toplumu iş birliğine davet etti. Bakan Bayraktar yazısını, “Gelin hikayeyi enerji dönüşümünden akıllı enerji dönüşümüne doğru değiştirelim.” cümlesiyle tamamladı.

Yazının orijinal haline ulaşmak için tıklayınız

South Africa Joins World Energy Council as Newest Member Committee

20 February 2024: The World Energy Council proudly announces the addition of a new South African chapter as its latest Member Committee, further strengthening the global energy community network dedicated to making faster, fairer and more far reaching energy transitions happen. This development underscores South African commitments in advancing global energy-climate security with justice and inclusion.

The World Energy Council, the preeminent international organization promoting the sustainable supply and use of energy for the greatest benefit of all, is pleased to welcome a South African energy leadership community back into its esteemed network. One of 40 original founding members of the Council, the long-standing member committee dissolved in 2021 and has rejoined under new leadership and a strengthened vision at the Energy Council of South Africa.

As one of the most dynamic and diverse economies in Africa, South African energy leaders bring invaluable expertise and important perspectives to the World Energy Council’s humanising energy impact agenda. The country’s rich energy resources, coupled with its commitment to realising globally inclusive sustainable development make it a pivotal player in shaping the future of global energy systems.

Dr Angela Wilkinson, Secretary General and CEO of the World Energy Council, expressed her enthusiasm about South Africa’s community membership, stating,

“We are thrilled to welcome our new South African Member Committee of the World Energy Council. Our shared vision and combined commitment to a more sustainable and climate-resilient energy future worldwide will help to deliver more inclusive impact at speed and scale. We look forward to working closely with South Africa’s most visionary energy leaders as we convene power for common good and accelerate clean and inclusive energy transitions with attention to emerging trade-offs and synergies.”

Mr Fleetwood Grobler, CEO of Sasol and Chair of the World Energy Council’s South Africa Member Committee, shared his thoughts on this milestone achievement, remarking,

“Joining the World Energy Council is a momentous step for South Africa and the Energy Council of South Africa, underscoring our commitment to playing a proactive role in shaping South Africa’s Energy Transition and participation in the global energy agenda. The World Energy Council and the Energy Council of South Africa are very closely aligned on objectives and focus on implementing an energy transition that balances the energy trilemma of energy security, affordability, and environmental sustainability. We look forward to establishing the South Africa Committee of the World Energy Council to work with and benefit from the international energy expertise and networks of the Council.”

Dr Omar Farouk Ibrahim, Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization and the World Energy Council’s Chair, Africa, emphasized the significance of South Africa’s inclusion, saying,

“South Africa’s membership underscores the importance of African representation in the global energy landscape. As the continent continues to play a pivotal role in the energy transition, the participation of South Africa will enhance collaboration and drive innovation across the region.”

For more information about the World Energy Council and its work, please visit www.worldenergy.org.

About the World Energy Council

The World Energy Council is the world’s oldest independent and impartial community of energy leaders and practitioners. Through our Humanising Energy vision, we involve more people and communities in accelerating clean and inclusive energy transitions in all world regions. Formed in 1923, the Council is a UN-accredited global energy body that has convened diverse interests from across the full energy ecosystem for a century, and today has over 3,000 member organisations and a presence in more than 100 countries. Our global network draws from governments, private and state corporations, academia and civil society, as well as current and future energy leaders. We collaborate on impact programmes and inform local, regional and global energy agendas in support of our enduring mission: to promote the sustainable use and supply of energy for the benefit of all people. Further details at www.worldenergy.org and on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About The Energy Council of South Africa

The Energy Council of South Africa is a CEO-led initiative that brings together key public and private sector companies, business/industry associations and finance institutions that have a significant presence and actively participate in the energy sector.

source

Welcome to our Centenary Year!

This article was originally published by Dr Angela Wilkinson, Secretary General & CEO of the World Energy Council, on Linkedin.

As an independent, non-endowed, not-for-profit organisation, we have earned our licence to operate every day, each year for 100 years.

At the core of our enduring mission is the recognition that all living systems – from biological, to socio-technological – evolve through a fundamental shift in their underlying energy systems. Today’s world energy system – a complex, connected and increasingly diverse network of systems – is no longer fit for purpose. And the solutions required involve the connected challenges of accelerating decarbonisation with justice and greening everything.

A sense of déjà vu

The World Energy Council was created 100 years ago in a time of crisis to build modern energy systems that would secure a new era of peace and support widespread wellbeing.

Whilst perspectives differ about how to define an energy system and when and how today’s energy systems will emerge from the turbulence of multiple crises, there has never been greater common support for the idea that energy systems are integral to ensuring peace and wellbeing for future generations.

It is urgent to make faster, fairer and more far-reaching energy transitions happen in all regions and important to enable more clean, reliable and affordable energy services to meet the ultimate goals of sustainable development and planetary health. Accelerating decarbonisation with justice tends to be talked about in terms of technology and finance.

Managing the health of connections in energy for people and planet will involve much more – from understanding the limits of state-centric models of compromise and consensus, to balancing competition with cooperation between coalitions of the willing, experimenting with new ways of collaborating and cocreating energy systems which support billions of better lives on a healthy planet.

An awful lot to do

Last year, at COP28, the world reached an historic agreement to transition away from fossil fuels.  A slew of significant energy-centric alliances aimed at getting on with the job were launched, including: Global Energy Transition Alliance; Oil & Gas Decarbonisation Charter; Global Renewables Alliance; Global Utility Alliance; Global Cooling Pledge; Industrial Transition Accelerator; Global Electric Cooking Coalition. (Apologies to the many others I haven’t listed).

The shared ambition is clear: a net zero emissions world energy system by 2050, a monumental and necessary transformation to address global climate change.

Successful implementation depends on extending and strengthening the world energy community in a more fragmented, competitive and conflicted energy leadership landscape. These newly launched alliances will need to learn quickly how to sustain broad collaboration and cocreation, rather than relying on narrow consensus, competition and cooperation, to ensure that the unprecedented scale of energy transitions is achieved.

Accelerating electrification. Tripling up renewables. Doubling down on energy efficiency. Tackling energy poverty. Scaling a new hydrogen-based fuels vector. Extending grids. Enabling more flexible energy storage solutions. There are multiple and diverse technology pathways in transitioning away from fossil fuels and yet the challenges of implementation remain less about technology, and more about investment, policies and people.

Cocreation is imperative, but it is not easy process to  sustain over decades and must now be guided by multiple visions of a more ecologically sustainable, socially inclusive and just future.

Making faster, fairer and more far-reaching energy transitions happen is not a simple problem of swapping out old technologies for new. And, as the world learned from Europe, stopping energy supplies without transforming demand is a recipe for new energy security crisis.

Time to step up, stretch and scale together!

There is little realistic hope of success if we can’t learn new and more effective ways to collaborate and cocreate energy systems across silos, sectors and segments of societies – stretching leadership across the defined political borders and fuzzier boundaries that characterize energy systems.  We have always existed to help ‘others’ learn and make progress together.

Our 100th anniversary Congress takes place less than 100 working days after the COP28 concluded. In a few short months, from April 22-25, energy leaders and experts from across the world will convene under one roof in Rotterdam to redesign energy systems.

The scope of our recently released programme speaks to the connected challenges in managing clean and inclusive energy transitions, and the opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and progress made possible when you involve more people and diverse communities.

Our pre-COP Pulse showed that the majority (68%) of energy transition leaders we surveyed stressed the necessity for improved cross-domain coordination and action beyond COP to progress energy transitions. Only 11% agreed that a critical mass of participation has been achieved in their respective region and 24% worried about a passive majority holding back energy transitions.

Humanising energy is the key to success. More people and diverse communities need to better understand their role and choices in making energy transitions happen.  A new genre of energy transition stories are essential to mobilise more movement and avoid the gridlock of ideological polarisation.

Energy systems include people. There can be no peace without energy. The promise of billions of better lives and a healthy planet now depend on making faster, fairer and more far-reaching energy transitions happen in all regions, and by involving the whole of society.

In 100 days time our visionary leadership and broad stakeholder networks from across the world will take stock of actions since COP28. Under the theme of Redesigning Energy for People and Planet, we are inviting all those who made commitments in Dubai to demonstrate their progress at the 26th World Energy Congress.

A World Energy Congress is more than a conference. It is a key moment in the global energy ecosystem for leaders and experts across all sectors to come together and showcase ground-breaking advancements in making fairer, faster, and more far-reaching energy transitions happen.

I invite you all to join the world energy community at April World Energy Congress in Rotterdam, and help shape the future of energy for all.

Let’s Redesign Energy for People and Planet Together.

source

World Energy Congress 2026 to be hosted by Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The 27th World Energy Congress will take place 26-29 October, 2026. 

23 November 2023: The World Energy Council has announced Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as the official host of the 27th World Energy Congress to be held 26-29 October 2026.

The Congress will take place at the Riyadh Front Centre, strategically located in the vibrant heart of the capital and at the centre of one of the world’s most important energy regions.

The award follows a highly competitive bidding process open to all the Council’s 70+ national member committees representing more than 3,000 organisations across the entire energy ecosystem.*

The World Energy Congress, the world’s most prestigious, inclusive and influential energy event, has helped drive energy transitions forward for more than a century by bringing together stakeholders representing energy interests from all corners of the world.

“Saudi Arabia is pleased to have been awarded the opportunity to host the 2026 World Energy Congress at this important moment in global energy. As a century-old gathering, the World Energy Congress holds a special place in the minds and calendars of world energy leaders. As a World Energy Council event, it unites the full range of stakeholders from energy producers through to consumers and all points in-between. Congress participants can expect a world class Congress accompanied by a warm Saudi welcome.” said Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, Minister of Energy and Chairman of the Saudi Arabia member committee.

“Saudi Arabia’s competitive bid clearly showcased their strategic vision for the World Energy Congress experience which includes strong institutional and government support” said Dr Mike Howard, Chair of the World Energy Council Officers Council. “Our World Energy Congress is the world’s oldest independent energy gathering. The 2026 Congress will celebrate this heritage alongside Saudi Arabia’s vision for the future of energy in today’s changing world”.

“Thank you to the members of our Board who oversaw this meticulous and highly competitive process,” Howard added.

Bringing together 150+ C-suite speakers, 250+ total speakers and 70+ Ministers, and 7000+ international energy stakeholders, the World Energy Congress unifies sectors, generations, geographies, and systems to progress more equitable energy transitions.

“Congratulations to Saudi Arabia for their successful bid to host the 2026 World Energy Congress,” said Dr Angela Wilkinson, Secretary General and CEO of the World Energy Council. “Energy transitions are too important to be left to the energy sector alone. Collaborations are required across all energy interests and that is where the Congress excels. The World Energy Council’s global community, combined with the Kingdom’s visionary leadership, will ensure that the 27th World Energy Congress will compel world energy leadership in making faster, fairer and more far-reaching energy transitions emerge.”

Saudi Arabia will officially become host of the World Energy Congress following the upcoming 26th World Energy Congress, taking place 22-25 April 2024 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Saudi Arabia will host a country pavilion at this prestigious event. Following the April 2024 World Energy Congress, the Congress will move to a two-year cycle.

Find out more about the World Energy Congress at www.worldenergycongress.org.

*Bids are welcome from Member Committees of the World Energy Council as well as organisations representing a city, country or third party, such as a convention bureau, where there is support from a Member Committee. Bidders are assessed through a thorough evaluation process based on their ability to meet comprehensive criteria.

About the World Energy Council 

The World Energy Council is the world’s oldest independent and impartial community of energy leaders and practitioners. Through our Humanising Energy vision, we involve more people and communities in accelerating clean and inclusive energy transitions in all world regions. Formed in 1923, the Council is an UN-accredited global energy body that has convened diverse interests from across the full energy ecosystem for a century, and today has over 3,000 member organisations and a presence in more than 100 countries. Our global network draws from governments, private and state corporations, academia and civil society, as well as current and future energy leaders. We collaborate on impact programmes and inform local, regional and global energy agendas in support of our enduring mission: to promote the sustainable use and supply of energy for the benefit of all people. Further details at www.worldenergy.org and on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About the Saudi Arabia Member Committee of the World Energy Council 

The Saudi Arabia Member Committee, hosted by the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Energy, under the leadership of the minister of Energy HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud, aims to promote sustainable energy development in Saudi Arabia, as a part of the World Energy Council’s energy vision. As a member of the World Energy Council network, the organisation is committed to representing the Saudi perspective within national, regional and global energy debates. The committee includes a variety of members to ensure that the diverse energy interests of Saudi Arabia are appropriately represented. Members of the committee are invited to attend high-level events, participate in energy-focused study groups, contribute to technical research and be a part of the global energy dialogue.

source