On 7 May 2026, the World Energy Council Netherlands brought together a diverse group of leaders from the energy sector, government and industry at the Royal Theater in The Hague for the official launch of its latest report, The Synergies of the Energy Transition.
This executive event focused on one central question: how can we make the energy transition not only sustainable, but also affordable and reliable?
The programme offered a strong and forward-looking perspective on current challenges and opportunities within the energy transition. The event was opened by Jeroen van Hoof, followed by a keynote on the Energy Trilemma and the interconnectedness of sustainability, affordability and security of supply. Co-author Jan Willem Velthuijsen then presented the key findings of the report, followed by an engaging Q&A with the audience.
One of the highlights of the morning was the panel discussion moderated by Paul Nillesen, where leading voices from industry and government explored how to move from trade-offs to synergies in making the energy transition work in practice.
New insights on the energy transition
The report marks an important shift in thinking: the energy transition is no longer solely a climate issue, but increasingly revolves around affordability and energy security as well. Where these objectives were previously seen as competing priorities, the report demonstrates how they can reinforce each other.
The World Energy Council even refers to a “new dawn” for the energy transition – a phase in which sustainability can actively contribute to a more resilient and cost-effective energy system. This perspective was a central theme throughout the presentations and discussions during the event.
Dialogue, interaction and networking
Beyond content, the event provided ample opportunity for interaction and exchange. From audience Q&A sessions to informal conversations during the networking lunch, participants actively engaged in discussions on concrete solutions and collaboration opportunities for the future energy system.
Additional perspectives — including geopolitical and economic reflections — further enriched the dialogue and provided broader context to the challenges ahead.
Media attention
The report launch and its key insights were covered by Energeia, highlighting the idea of a “new dawn” in the Dutch energy transition and the growing alignment between sustainability, affordability and reliability.
Download the full report The Synergies of the Energy Transition to explore the insights and recommendations in detail.
Dutch news platform Energeia wrote an article about the 2026 WEC-report, read the article here (Dutch and subscription only).