“The more we transition to clean energy, the more we shield ourselves from global conflicts, because no one can take solar or wind energy hostage,” said Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), in an interview with Euronews.
In recent years, global instability has significantly disrupted both the supply and the price of energy. While high energy costs are not the sole barrier to Europe’s competitiveness, the pricing shocks have certainly added to the challenges.
As Europe races to decarbonize and meet its climate targets, the critical question is: can it withstand future crises without compromising its energy security?
In this episode of The Big Question, Dr. Birol discusses with Euronews’ Hannah Brown how the global push for clean energy can make Europe more resilient in times of crisis.
How Do Global Conflicts Affect the Energy Transition?
Dr. Birol underscores that ongoing conflicts make international cooperation on global challenges like climate change even harder.
When asked what changes he hopes to see before the next World Energy Outlook—an annual report released by the IEA each October—Dr. Birol expressed his hope that countries would come together and build a consensus on how to advance energy policy.
Surprisingly, despite the lack of global unity, Dr. Birol believes that crises and conflicts have actually accelerated the global shift towards renewable energy.
“The more we move toward clean energy, the more resilient we become to these crises because no one can take solar or wind energy hostage,” Dr. Birol said.
“As the geopolitical tensions and energy security threats increase, the drive for clean energy strengthens—not just for climate reasons, but also for energy security.”
Entering the “Age of Electricity” and the Importance of Geothermal Energy
Dr. Birol predicts that we are entering the “age of electricity,” with a growing share of electricity being generated from clean sources like solar, wind, hydropower, and nuclear energy.
However, he emphasizes that geothermal energy should play a much larger role in Europe’s energy mix.
“Geothermal energy can provide a steady, uninterrupted source of electricity,” Dr. Birol explained, adding that unlike wind and solar, geothermal energy is available 24/7.
“We are working hard to reduce the cost of geothermal energy so that it can complement solar and wind power,” he said.
Dr. Birol sees geothermal energy as a key element in building a more reliable and stable energy system—one that is less susceptible to external disruptions. He stresses that clean energy is not only a solution to climate change but also a critical strategy for strengthening energy security amid geopolitical and economic challenges.
