- World Energy Council survey shows growing alarm over the pace and trajectory of the energy transition
- Under the theme “Redesigning Energy for People and Planet”, the Congress will provide a critical opportunity to identify solutions to fix today’s system
- Year to Go announcement see first speakers announced and registration opened
London/Rotterdam, Monday 24th April 2023 – The countdown to the 26th World Energy Congress, to be held in Rotterdam from 22-25 April 2024, has begun today as the World Energy Council launches event registration and simultaneously releases the results of its latest Pulse Survey.
Reflecting the views of more than 700 leaders of the global energy community, the survey shows that two thirds continue to be concerned by the pace of energy transitions, nearly double who expressed similar concerns in the Council’s April 2022 study.
Leaders are particularly concerned that insufficient action is being driven from the bottom up, with 35% of respondents stating that individuals and communities should be empowered to lead transformations. 43% see challenges around ‘affordability and modern energy access’ as the most concerning aspects of ensuring a fair energy system.
The results of the survey come as the Council opens registration for the Congress, the world’s most prestigious and well-established global energy event. Under the theme of ‘Redesigning Energy for People and Planet”, the event will bring together 7,000 energy leaders and 18,000 total attendees from across the wider energy ecosystem to discuss and identify solutions to fix an energy system that is fundamentally broken and which no longer meets the needs of societies that it was originally designed to serve.
The Congress will engage a diverse range of people – women, workers, the next generation – at all levels of the energy dialogue and convene them around the ‘how to’ in enabling energy transitions to happen at pace and scale.
Today, the first confirmed speakers are announced including:
- Amina Mohamed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group
- Patrick Pouyanné, CEO of TotalEnergies
- Ahmed Aboutaleb, Mayor of Rotterdam
- Phyllis Omido, Founder of the Centre for Justice, Governance and Environmental Action
- John Elkington, Author and Founder & Chief Pollinator at Volans
- and Kim Yin Wong, Group President & CEO of Sembcorp.
Dr. Angela Wilkinson, Secretary General, and CEO, World Energy Council, said:
“In the wake of three once-in-a-lifetime crises – covid, climate, conflict – we are reminded of the balance that must be struck between the energy trilemma of security, affordability, and environmental sustainability.
“The results of our Pulse Survey show a fundamental and increasing concern across all energy interests that our energy system is no longer fit for purpose. Leaders believe that we are moving too slowly, creating a system which is failing to deliver the most basic requirement of access to affordable energy, and that we risk disenfranchising individuals and communities from the energy transition. As a society we must come together to discuss these critical challenges and build consensus about how we create a system which truly puts people and planet at its heart.
“By deploying its bottom-up approach of connecting communities, innovators, civil society, businesses, and governments, the World Energy Council will convene at the 26th World Energy Congress, as an inclusive forum which includes energy users, who are often overlooked in the global-level conversations surrounding the transition. The solutions to the energy crisis will come by ensuring that diverse communities and people are at the centre of the debate”.
The World Energy Congress will be the first major point of reflection in the wake of COP28, hosted by the UAE in December 2023. The event will provide an early opportunity for delegates to consider takeaways from Dubai and map out the transition trajectory amid the backdrop of today’s less predictable, more turbulent, and rapidly shifting world.
In total 18,000 attendees will convene in Rotterdam for four days of energy-defining and impact-focused conversations, roundtables, and peer-to-peer networking, while simultaneously showcasing the latest technologies driving forward the energy transition. Registration for delegate passes is now open with tickets to provide access to all sessions and exhibitions during the Congress.
Dutch Minister for Climate and Energy Policy, Rob Jetten, said:
“We are delighted to host the 26th World Energy Congress in Rotterdam next year. The Netherlands has big ambitions when it comes to sustainable energy and climate and are keen to expand our role in the renewable transition in Europe and across the globe.
“The importance of gathering world energy leaders together under the umbrella of the World Energy Congress is more vital than ever as we navigate these turbulent energy times and strive towards a fairer future for all.”
Jeroen van Hoof, Chair of the World Energy Council, The Netherlands, and Chair of the World Energy Congress Rotterdam Organising Committee, said:
“We look forward to welcoming delegates from across the entire energy eco system to the next World Energy Congress in Rotterdam. Rotterdam, a vibrant innovative smart city with a rich heritage in pioneering early oil and gas supply and storage, a global port serving as the logistical gateway into Europe and enduring status as international trading hub. More importantly an open and inclusive city in the midst of a transformation into a cleaner and more sustainable future.
“Its historical significance as a city rebuilt after the destruction of World War II to become Europe’s largest international trading port exemplifies our theme of Redesigning Energy for People and Planet. Just as the city responded to the global challenges of the past to transform itself into an energy hub so too will we respond to the unprecedented crises of today to build a better, cleaner and more inclusive tomorrow.”
-ENDS-
For media inquiries, please contact the Council’s media relations team at FTI Consulting: worldenergycouncil@fticonsulting.com or +44 (0)20 3727 1000
About the World Energy Congress
For 100 years, the World Energy Congress has convened the cooperative power of the world energy community to turn inspiration into action. As 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 energy.
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 18,000 total attendees including 7,000 delegates, 70 Ministers and a sizeable media contingent, the World Energy Congress is a globally recognised, world-class event that welcomes leaders from all corners of the world as they come together to enable solutions and deliver impact in an era of energy for people and planet. Ministers, C-suite executives, NGOs, experts, academics, and young entrepreneurs – the Congress hosts the full spectrum of the energy sector and its value chain.
The 26th World Energy Congress is now 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. We represent all energy interests. 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 community, they are 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