London summit seeks energy solutions

More than 100 high-level participants from around the world, including government ministers and company CEOs, gathered in London on Thursday for the start of a two-day meeting to address the challenge of energy security in an increasingly volatile world.

United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen were among the main speakers at the event, which was described as "laying the foundations for a more holistic approach to energy security for today's fast-changing world".

The gathering was convened by the intergovernmental International Energy Agency, or IEA, in partnership with the UK government, and had representations from 60 governments from all continents, as well as senior industry figures and delegates from other international agencies.

"Energy is the foundation of modern life," said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol, the summit's co-chair. "But without energy security, there can be no economic stability, energy poverty will remain unsolved, and we will not be able to meet our sustainability goals."

Subjects up for discussion included electricity system resilience in the face of rising demand, the challenges of extreme weather conditions, cross-border and sector cooperation, energy source diversification, and secure supply chains for critical minerals.

"The world is entering a new age of electricity, driven by clean energy technologies and digital innovation," said Birol. "This brings new opportunities but also new vulnerabilities. Diversification of supply — whether it's oil, gas or critical minerals — remains a golden rule of energy security. We must be prepared to act quickly and collectively."

One of the first speakers was Tommy Joyce, acting assistant secretary of international affairs at the US Energy Department, who launched an attack on the climate policies of the previous US administration that he said contributed to energy scarcity and restriction, policies that "have been embraced by many, not just the United States, and harm human lives".

The Politico website said his comments were not well-received. He then attacked net-zero policies, which he said prioritized "abstract emission goals" and were a barrier to developing countries.

Instead, he said, the world should "get out of their way and to let them lift themselves out of poverty, especially through affordable energy".

By contrast, UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband commented that "There can be no national or international security without energy security", and "as long as energy can be weaponized against us, our countries and our citizens are vulnerable and exposed".

Starmer then announced the fast-tracking of 300 million pounds ($399 million) of investment in manufacturing components for the UK's off shore wind industry.

Referencing the Plan for Change policy he announced last year, Starmer said he would be "bringing forward much-needed investment in our domestic off shore wind supply chains, strengthening our security, and creating good jobs for our welders, electricians, and engineers."