Energy Leaders Usher In New Era Of Energy Security
The Summit on the Future of Energy Security concluded at Lancaster House in London with a strong signal of renewed international cooperation and resolve. Co-hosted by the IEA and the UK Government, the landmark two-day event brought together decision makers from 60 governments and over 50 major energy companies, alongside international institutions and civil society organisations, to confront a major global challenge: securing the energy systems of today and tomorrow.
With keynote speeches from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the Summit was a unique international event, bringing together a diverse range of countries and businesses. Convened at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty, rising energy demand and accelerating technological change, the event provided a platform to reassess and reframe energy security in a rapidly transforming world. It was co-chaired by UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband and IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol.
“In challenging geopolitical and economic times, this Summit has demonstrated that while the nature of energy security is evolving, the need for international cooperation remains constant,” said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. “What emerged from our discussions was not only a shared understanding of the challenges ahead, but a recognition that the solutions – whether technical, political, or financial – will be more effective if pursued together. This Summit has made it clear for the world that we are in a new era of energy security – and the IEA will build on its decades of leadership by continuing to spearhead international efforts to ensure secure, affordable and sustainable energy supplies for all.”
“This week, alongside the International Energy Agency, we brought together 60 governments from around the world, as well as sector leaders, for the first major global summit on clean energy as energy security,” said UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband. “We have discussed how to drive our collective energy security, and here in the UK we have announced a £300 million boost for offshore wind supply chains through Great British Energy and finalised a major deal to deliver 2,000 skilled jobs to build a carbon capture network, through our Plan for Change. In a changing and uncertain world, Britain is determined to strengthen our alliances and double down on our commitment to multilateralism and this week’s discussions will set strong foundations so we can rise to the challenges of the years ahead.”
The Summit opened with a clear recognition that energy security can no longer be understood solely in terms of traditional risks. While safeguarding oil and gas supplies and maintaining emergency response mechanisms remain critical, participants agreed that the future of energy security must also encompass newer dimensions such as cybersecurity, extreme weather events, supply chain resilience for critical minerals and clean technologies, and integration of electrified and decentralised systems.
The Chairs’ Summary emphasised the need for a “holistic approach to energy security”, highlighting the overlapping pressures that are reshaping the global energy system. Clean technologies – such as wind, solar, nuclear and battery storage – are being deployed at unprecedented speed, helping to reduce reliance on fossil fuel imports and protect consumers from price volatility, the summary noted.
Participants at the Summit emphasised the importance of energy access and affordability as fundamental to national and international security. With nearly 700 million people worldwide still lacking electricity and over 2 billion without access to clean cooking, addressing energy poverty was highlighted throughout the Summit as a key challenge to overcome. Delegates acknowledged that affordability concerns are growing even in advanced economies, where low-income households are disproportionately affected by energy costs.
Moreover, many Summit participants underscored that transitions to clean energy must be just and fair. Fossil fuels will likely remain part of the energy mix for years to come, particularly in sectors where alternatives remain limited, the Chairs’ Summary noted. Participants stressed the importance of responsible management of resources, including continued investment in emissions reductions across oil and gas supply chains, decommissioning of ageing infrastructure and reskilling of workforces. Support for regions and communities that risk being left behind in the shift to new technologies and industries was frequently stressed.
Technology and innovation featured prominently in the discussions. As energy systems become more digital and interconnected, the potential of artificial intelligence and advanced analytics to improve forecasting, efficiency and resilience was widely acknowledged. At the same time, participants flagged the growing exposure of critical infrastructure to cyber threats, emphasising the need to embed resilience from the outset – through regulation, investment and international coordination. The IEA was encouraged to build on its ongoing work in this area and lead further efforts to improve knowledge-sharing and benchmarking for emerging technologies.
The growing role of electricity – particularly in transport, heating and industry – was another major focus. As electrification of more and more of the economy accelerates, securing power grids becomes both more difficult and more important. Delegates called for long-term policy frameworks that anticipate future system needs, including flexible generation, storage demand-side response and regional interconnection. Several interventions noted that without strategic grid expansion and modernisation, efforts to scale up clean power could be undermined by physical and operational bottlenecks.
Finally, the Summit spotlighted the growing geopolitical and economic implications of clean energy supply chains. From mining and processing of critical minerals to manufacturing solar panels and wind turbines, supply chains are increasingly central to global energy security. Participants recognised both the opportunities for new industrial development and the risks of overdependence on a limited number of suppliers.
https://www.iea.org/news/at-london-summit-energy-sector-leaders-usher-in-a-new-era-of-energy-security