The United States firmly expressed its disagreement with policies favouring renewable energy, which were described as “harmful and dangerous” by Tommy Joyce, Acting Deputy Secretary for International Energy Affairs. During the International Energy Agency (IEA) security summit in London, the U.S. representative condemned attempts to impose strict regulations on fossil fuels, while leaving renewables exempt from such constraints. According to Joyce, this approach could severely undermine global energy stability.
The summit brought together representatives from 60 countries and 50 companies to discuss energy security in a global context marked by the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Although China, Saudi Arabia, and Russia chose not to attend, the United States sent only acting deputy secretaries to the summit, which was co-chaired by the United Kingdom. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer are also scheduled to speak later in the day.
Division over renewable energy
Fatih Birol, the IEA’s Executive Director, delivered an inaugural speech that revealed deep divisions among participants. While the IEA recognises the crucial role of fossil fuels in the global energy mix, it adjusted its position from 2023, when it had forecast a peak in fossil fuel consumption before 2030. Birol also highlighted a new challenge related to the rise of low-carbon energies: the supply of critical metals, most of which come from China.
UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband also warned against using energy as a geopolitical weapon, emphasising the vulnerabilities of countries in the event of disruptions. According to Miliband, ensuring energy security requires stable and predictable policies, as well as enhanced international cooperation.
Three priorities for energy security
Fatih Birol outlined three “golden rules” to secure global energy supply: diversification of energy sources, policy predictability, and cooperation between states. The latter was particularly emphasised in the context of the current crisis, where energy policies can change rapidly, creating an uncertain climate for investors. The IEA stressed the need for increased multilateralism to avoid supply disruptions.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) also praised the summit, noting that it was positive for the IEA to refocus on energy security. However, the cartel criticised the IEA’s net-zero carbon scenarios, deeming them unrealistic and disconnected from energy security and financial accessibility issues.
