popular articles

Summit in London: Tensions over the role of renewable energy in global energy security

In London, global officials gather to discuss energy security amid rising geopolitical tensions. Disagreements persist on the role of renewable energy in meeting global demand.

Please share:

A summit on energy security, co-chaired by the United Kingdom and the International Energy Agency (IEA), began in London on April 24, 2025. The event brings together over 120 government officials, business leaders, and experts to discuss the future of global energy supply amid conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Energy security, a global strategic issue, is the subject of intense debates on how to balance energy transition with growing energy demands. While the IEA, founded after the 1974 oil shock, emphasizes the energy transition, some countries and organizations question the speed of this transition. The issue of balancing renewable and fossil energy sources, considering financial accessibility and project feasibility, remains a point of contention.

Disagreements on renewables

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has welcomed the summit, highlighting the importance of focusing on energy security. The cartel, which remains skeptical of the transition to cleaner energy, criticizes the IEA’s proposed carbon neutrality targets as unrealistic. According to OPEC, energy security should involve a mix of different energy sources, not a replacement of fossil fuels with renewables. On its part, the IEA stresses the importance of renewable energy and nuclear power to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate price volatility.

Discreet American presence

The London summit also marks the absence of some major global players, including China, Saudi Arabia, and Russia. The United States will be represented by interim deputy secretaries of state, a representation considered insufficient by some observers. This absence raises questions about America’s commitment, particularly after Donald Trump’s statements advocating for increased oil and gas drilling. Trump has also expressed opposition to the expansion of wind energy projects, preferring an approach focused on fossil fuel production.

Impact on the IEA’s agenda

The IEA, led by Fatih Birol, has moderated its rhetoric in recent months. In an effort not to antagonize the United States and OPEC, the agency seems to be adopting a more balanced approach, seeking to maintain its role as a reference point for energy security while accommodating various interests. This desire to reconcile different players in the energy sector could redefine its role in the coming years.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

The re-elected Australian government is investing heavily in storage, critical minerals and domestic production to meet its target of 82% renewable electricity by 2030.
The US House budget bill outlines a gradual phaseout of tax credits, affecting financing for solar, wind, storage, and clean hydrogen initiatives.
The US House budget bill outlines a gradual phaseout of tax credits, affecting financing for solar, wind, storage, and clean hydrogen initiatives.
China's gas, oil and coal volumes remain above last year’s levels, despite a decline in April compared to the record highs of March.
China's gas, oil and coal volumes remain above last year’s levels, despite a decline in April compared to the record highs of March.
The UK’s energy price cap is expected to fall to £1,720 ($2,187) in July, according to Cornwall Insight, due to recent movements in wholesale markets.
The UK’s energy price cap is expected to fall to £1,720 ($2,187) in July, according to Cornwall Insight, due to recent movements in wholesale markets.
The European Commission releases data on the REPowerEU plan, confirming a sharp drop in Russian fossil fuel purchases and announcing new legislative measures by June.
A partnership between the Indian government and GEAPP provides financial and operational support to early-stage climate-tech firms as part of a national energy strategy.
A partnership between the Indian government and GEAPP provides financial and operational support to early-stage climate-tech firms as part of a national energy strategy.
A $150mn financing package, including $100mn from the World Bank, will support the modernisation of Uzbekistan’s power grid and integration of renewable energy in key regions.
A $150mn financing package, including $100mn from the World Bank, will support the modernisation of Uzbekistan’s power grid and integration of renewable energy in key regions.
A report from the Public Policy Forum calls for accelerating over 500 energy, critical minerals and infrastructure projects to generate CAD1 100bn in Canadian GDP growth.
A report from the Public Policy Forum calls for accelerating over 500 energy, critical minerals and infrastructure projects to generate CAD1 100bn in Canadian GDP growth.
Quebec opens public consultation on draft regulations to revise gas standards and frame the integration of hydrogen, with feedback expected by 27 June.
The Danish government is assessing the possibility of authorising new nuclear technologies, marking a major regulatory shift in energy policy after four decades of prohibition.
The Danish government is assessing the possibility of authorising new nuclear technologies, marking a major regulatory shift in energy policy after four decades of prohibition.
The Spanish government confirmed no signs of cyberattack were identified after the 28 April blackout that affected much of the Iberian Peninsula.
The Spanish government confirmed no signs of cyberattack were identified after the 28 April blackout that affected much of the Iberian Peninsula.
South African authorities are advocating for an approach that integrates economic development and environmental protection, highlighting global imbalances in climate responsibility.
South African authorities are advocating for an approach that integrates economic development and environmental protection, highlighting global imbalances in climate responsibility.
The European Commission is considering changing environmental laws to accelerate the granting of permits for renewable energy projects across the European Union.
Spain’s competition authority has launched its own investigation into the April 28 power outage, joining ongoing inquiries into an incident that disrupted 60% of the country's electricity consumption.
Spain’s competition authority has launched its own investigation into the April 28 power outage, joining ongoing inquiries into an incident that disrupted 60% of the country's electricity consumption.
German regulator BNetzA has launched a consultation on a major grid tariff reform that could require electricity producers to pay access fees, thus altering the current funding structure.
German regulator BNetzA has launched a consultation on a major grid tariff reform that could require electricity producers to pay access fees, thus altering the current funding structure.
The U.S. Department of Energy will purchase three litres of helium-3 from Interlune by 2029, marking the first public contract involving a natural resource extracted from the lunar surface.
The U.S. Department of Energy will purchase three litres of helium-3 from Interlune by 2029, marking the first public contract involving a natural resource extracted from the lunar surface.
Iran will limit daily power cuts to two hours for households starting May 10, aiming to ease pressure on the national electricity grid as temperatures climb.
The French government has entrusted Bernard Fontana with the leadership of EDF, relying on his industrial background to manage the end of the Arenh and revive the nuclear programme.
The French government has entrusted Bernard Fontana with the leadership of EDF, relying on his industrial background to manage the end of the Arenh and revive the nuclear programme.
Germany’s new Economy Minister, Katherina Reiche, plans 20 gigawatts of gas-fired plants to address the limits of renewable energy.
Germany’s new Economy Minister, Katherina Reiche, plans 20 gigawatts of gas-fired plants to address the limits of renewable energy.
The Spanish Prime Minister has asked for more time to determine the causes of an unprecedented outage on April 28 that cut 15 gigawatts of electricity from the peninsula’s grid.
The Spanish Prime Minister has asked for more time to determine the causes of an unprecedented outage on April 28 that cut 15 gigawatts of electricity from the peninsula’s grid.
The re-election of the Albanese government reassures energy stakeholders calling for regulatory adjustments to accelerate projects and secure long-term investment.
SOGARA is launching a two-phase modernisation programme to increase the country's energy autonomy by 2030, with financing primarily from external sources.
SOGARA is launching a two-phase modernisation programme to increase the country's energy autonomy by 2030, with financing primarily from external sources.
Suriname has launched a pre-distribution programme of its future oil revenues, offering a $750 bonus to more than 570,000 citizens well before the start of offshore production scheduled for 2028.
Suriname has launched a pre-distribution programme of its future oil revenues, offering a $750 bonus to more than 570,000 citizens well before the start of offshore production scheduled for 2028.
One week after the massive blackout, Spain and Portugal continue their investigations with no technical conclusion, while Madrid calls on France to accelerate cross-border interconnection projects.
One week after the massive blackout, Spain and Portugal continue their investigations with no technical conclusion, while Madrid calls on France to accelerate cross-border interconnection projects.

Advertising