“The more we shift towards clean energy, the more resilient we become to global conflicts, because no one can take solar or wind energy hostage,” Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), told Euronews.
Recent global instability has severely impacted both energy supply and prices. While high energy costs aren’t the only factor affecting Europe’s competitiveness, these price shocks have certainly exacerbated the situation.
As Europe pushes forward with its decarbonization efforts to meet climate goals, the key question is: can it endure additional crises without compromising its energy security?
In this episode of The Big Question, Dr. Fatih Birol sits down with Euronews’ Hannah Brown to discuss how the transition to clean energy can strengthen Europe’s resilience against future crises.
How Are Global Conflicts Impacting the Energy Transition?
Dr. Birol points out that ongoing conflicts make it difficult for countries to effectively collaborate on tackling global issues like climate change.
When asked what changes he hopes to see before the next World Energy Outlook – a report published annually by the IEA every October – Dr. Birol expressed his desire for greater global cooperation. He hopes countries can come together to build consensus on how to move forward with energy and climate policies.
Despite the lack of global collaboration, and somewhat surprisingly, Dr. Birol argues that crises and conflicts are actually accelerating the race toward renewable energy.
“The more we transition to clean energy, the more resilient we become to these crises because no one can take solar or wind energy hostage,” Dr. Birol said.
“As political tensions and energy security threats grow, the drive for clean energy only intensifies—not just for climate reasons, but for energy security as well.”
The “Age of Electricity” and the Growing Role of Geothermal Energy
Dr. Birol believes we are entering what he calls the “age of electricity,” with an increasing share of electricity being generated from clean sources like solar, wind, hydropower, and nuclear energy.
However, he argues that geothermal energy should play a larger role in Europe’s energy future.
“Geothermal energy can help us produce electricity without interruptions,” Dr. Birol explained, adding that unlike wind and solar, geothermal energy is available 24/7.
“We’re working to bring the cost of geothermal energy down so that it can complement solar and wind power,” he added.
Dr. Birol views geothermal energy as an essential element for building a more resilient and stable energy system—one that is less vulnerable to external disruptions. He emphasizes that clean energy solutions not only address climate change but are also crucial for enhancing energy security in the face of geopolitical challenges.