A high-profile international summit on energy security opened Thursday in London, drawing attention to the deepening global divides over how best to meet the world's growing energy demands.
The two-day conference, hosted by the International Energy Agency (IEA), is unfolding against a backdrop of geopolitical and economic instability fueled by ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. Trade tensions between the United States and China, along with lingering uncertainty surrounding U.S. tariffs introduced during Donald Trump's presidency, are also shaping the discourse.
The summit aims to explore how technological innovation, geopolitical shifts, and economic pressures are impacting both national and global energy security, the IEA said in a statement.
More than 120 senior officials, energy experts, and business leaders are attending, including several European energy ministers. However, notable absences include representatives from China, Saudi Arabia, and Russia. The United States is only sending acting deputy secretaries of state, underlining the limited American engagement at this year’s gathering.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to outline Europe’s commitment to developing sustainable and affordable energy systems. Nonetheless, some observers are questioning whether the summit will give sufficient attention to renewable energy sources.
OPEC, which represents major oil-producing nations, welcomed the summit’s focus on energy security. The group criticized previous net-zero emissions policies for being unrealistic and lacking attention to affordability and feasibility. OPEC reiterated its belief that renewables should supplement, not replace, fossil fuels in the pursuit of energy stability.
In contrast, many European nations argue that a combination of renewables and nuclear energy is essential for reducing dependency on volatile oil and gas imports, especially in the wake of Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump, a likely influence on current American energy policy, has consistently favored expanding domestic oil and gas production over investing in renewable sources like wind energy.
While the IEA’s official mission is to promote a balanced energy transition and enhance energy sovereignty, insiders suggest the agency has recently adopted a more cautious tone on renewables. According to a source from a major European energy firm, this shift aims to ease tensions with both the Trump administration and OPEC.
Despite these strategic recalibrations, European officials maintain that the summit’s agenda remains unchanged and continues to prioritize long-term energy transition goals.
