14 December 2022 – The World Energy Council’s 26th World Energy Congress in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, previously scheduled to run from 4-7 December 2023, will now be held from 22-25
April 2024.

As the impartial and pragmatic voice of the global energy community, the World Energy Council will fully support the COP28 Climate Change Conference, to be held towards the end of 2023, and has therefore adjusted the dates of the 26th World Energy Congress.

With around 7,000 delegates, 70 Ministers, and 18,000 total attendees, the World Energy Congress is a globally recognised, world-class event that welcomes leaders from all corners of the world.

The theme of the 26th World Energy Congress, Redesigning Energy for People and Planet, emphasises that there has never been a more critical time for leadership in energy. The Congress will
explore the role of connected energy societies in driving forward global energy transitions in today’s less predictable, more turbulent and faster shifting world.

For 100 years, the World Energy Congress has convened the cooperative power of the world energy community to turn inspiration into action. The World Energy Council marks its centenary year from mid-2023, and celebrations will include global and regional events and activities leading up to the 26th World Energy Congress.

Dr. Angela Wilkinson, Secretary General, and CEO, World Energy Council, said:

“The 26th World Energy Congress is a critical turning point for leadership on clean and just energy
transitions worldwide and an opportunity to spring forward in redesigning energy for people and
planet.
“Against a backdrop of new energy insecurity concerns and the increasing damages that climate change is inflicting on the Earth’s natural life support system, it is neither easy nor enough to translate net zero roadmaps into reality. It is important to develop shared and deeper understanding
of the role of increasingly diverse energy systems in enabling a safe operating space for humanity. It is urgent to involve more people and communities and identify leading practices in inclusive implementation. This best way forward is to support diverse regions in leading with and learning from each other and appreciate the diversity of place-based, clean and just energy transitions. “Please join us as the world learns with crises to seed better energy futures which enable 10 billion better lives on one healthy planet at the 26th World Energy Congress in Rotterdam, the
Netherlands.” World Energy Congress 2024 will be held at the Rotterdam Ahoy, an event base for international
professionals, politicians, and artists.

For media inquiries, please contact the Council’s media relations team at FTI Consulting:
worldenergycouncil@fticonsulting.com or +44 (0)7929847395

About the World Energy Congress

The global flagship platform of the World Energy Council, the World Energy Congress, reaches across the public, private and civic sectors to connect and inspire leaders and practitioners from within and beyond the traditional energy value chain. Hosted in cities across the world since 1924, the Congress is a unique space for the world energy community to address challenges of energy for people and planet, catalyse new co-operations and build multiple better pathways for global energy transitions.
With around 7,000 delegates and 100 exhibitors across 30,000 sqm. of exhibition space attracting 18,000 attendees over four days, the Congress connects and inspires experienced and future energy leaders and practitioners from around the world. Ministers, C-suite executives, NGOs, experts and academia, entrepreneurs and young energy leaders – the Congress hosts the full spectrum of the energy sector and its value chain. The 26 th World Energy Congress will soon be open to book participation as a delegate, exhibitor or exhibition visitor. You may also register your interest to be a sponsor or a media partner. Further information at
World Energy Congress and @WECongress.

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 are working to involve more people and communities in accelerating clean and just energy transitions in all world regions. Formed in 1923, the Council convenes diverse energy interests, with over 3,000 member organisations in around 90 countries drawn from governments, private and state corporations, academia and civil society. We effectively collaborate on breakthrough 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 @WECouncil About The Netherlands Member Committee, World Energy Council
The Netherlands National Committee aims to promote sustainable energy development in The Netherlands, 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 national perspective of The Netherlands within national, regional and global energy debates. The committee includes a variety of members to ensure that the diverse energy interests of The Netherlands are appropriately represented. Members of the committee attend high-level events, participate in energy-focused study groups, contribute to technical research and are part of the global energy dialogue. Further details at www.worldenergycouncil.nl

Corona no doubt was the dominant driver of events in 2020, but in its shadow the year has seen a number of other significant developments that are crucial for the achievability of NW Europe’s Net Zero ambitions. China, USA and EU have each announced, introduced, or intensified a grand Energy Deal. And ofcourse Great Britain – a large and energy-relevant member – has left the Union.

All these Black Swan events have potentially kicked the development trajectories of NW Europe into new orbits. It is therefore clear that there is ample scope to rethink the Phasing Out Carbon scenario against these radically changed perspectives and potential new trends.

The WEC 2021 report explores the impact of Covid-19 on the economy, energy use and CO2 emissions. Two possible post-Covid growth scenarios have been differentiated: modest-growth and high-growth. The report looks at different drivers impacting the scenarios and with that the achievability of the 2050 Paris goals.

Download report