Latest news with #WorldEnergyCouncil
Zawya
24-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
World Energy Council welcomes new Chair-designate - H.E. Adnan Amin
London: The World Energy Council is pleased to announce that H.E. Mr. Adnan Amin has been elected as Chair-designate of the World Energy Council. Mr. Amin will immediately assume the role alongside current Chair, Mike Howard, for the remainder of his term. Mr. Amin will transition to the Chair position at the Council's Executive Assembly taking place during World Energy Week in October 2025. A renowned international leader and sustainable development economist, Mr. Amin was unanimously elected by the Council's worldwide member committees. Mr. Amin is a well-respected and globally recognised leader, having founded and led the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) between 2011 and 2019. Under his leadership, IRENA became the authoritative voice for renewable energy and a key player in driving the transformation of global energy systems. He most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of COP28, where he successfully led international negotiations that culminated in the landmark 'UAE Consensus.' This included a historic commitment by countries to triple global renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030, marking a pivotal step forward in accelerating clean energy deployment. Prior to these roles, Mr. Amin served in senior leadership across the United Nations System and International Organisations for over 20 years. He was also a Senior Research Fellow at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, focusing on the geopolitics of the energy transition. Mike Howard, current Chair, World Energy Council said: 'I am truly delighted that Adnan is joining the World Energy Council community in this top leadership role. His international experience across a range of global organisations, including those with energy responsibilities, is outstanding. In these turbulent times, geopolitically and across energy systems, the need for strong and transparent leadership is paramount. I greatly look forward to working with Adnan as he takes on his new roles.' H.E. Adnan Amin, incoming Chair-designate, World Energy Council, said: 'The World Energy Council has long been a cornerstone of impactful global energy leadership. I am honoured to take on this important role at a time when the need for an independent and impartial voice in the energy space has never been more urgent. I look forward to working with the Council's worldwide community to drive meaningful progress, exchange insights, and inspire transformative change.' Dr Angela Wilkinson, Secretary General and CEO, World Energy Council, said: 'I am thrilled to welcome HE Adnan Amin as Chair-designate of the World Energy Council. Adnan is more than a trustworthy and admired leader in the energy space - he is a bridge-builder between worlds. Adnan joins the Council at a pivotal moment: energy leadership must rise to new levels of challenge, creativity, and compassion. His appointment signals our intent to shape a fresh energy agenda fit for billions of people and a healthy planet. We're not here to study the present - we're here to redesign the future, and Adnan is the right leader to help drive that transformation.' Born in Kenya and a citizen of the United Arab Emirates, Mr. Amin will become the first person from a non-OECD country to take up position of Chair of the World Energy Council. He is well-placed to lead the diverse World Energy Council community, which includes over 3,000 member organisations spanning more than 100 counties, and its flagship World Energy Congress which convenes global energy leaders to advance clean and inclusive energy transitions. Co-hosted by the World Energy Council and the Ministry of Energy of Saudi Arabia, the 27th edition of World Energy Congress will take place 26-29 October 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. -Ends- About the World Energy Council The World Energy Council is the world's oldest independent and impartial community of energy leaders and practitioners. Through our Humanising Energy vision, we involve more people and communities in accelerating clean and just energy transitions in all world regions. Formed in 1923, the Council has convened diverse interests from across the full energy ecosystem for a century, and today has over 3,000 member organisations and a presence in nearly 100 countries. Our global network draws from governments, private and state corporations, academia and civil society, as well as current and future energy leaders. We effectively collaborate on 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 and on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Daily Maverick
17-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Maverick
A defining moment — act now to secure South Africa's energy future
While the energy crisis may feel lessened by the suspension of scheduled load shedding this winter, South Africa's longer-term energy outlook still looks precarious and in the medium term consumers will bear the brunt of price hikes. This reality has led us to a Rubicon moment where the energy choices the country makes today – or fails to make – will shape our socioeconomic future in deeply fundamental ways. As someone actively engaged in energy policy through the B20 Energy Task Force, the World Energy Council's South African board, and as co-chair of the Just Energy Transition and Industrialisation Steering Committee within the Energy Council of South Africa, I am concerned about the state of the energy transition and the continent's industrial progress – and believe the urgency to act has never been greater. To secure South Africa's long-term energy future and industrial base, several priority areas demand immediate attention. Avoiding continued load shedding is critical In South Africa the risk of load shedding remains very real. Decades of underinvestment and persistent challenges in maintaining ageing generation infrastructure have left the system vulnerable, with planned availability still well below the 70% target. As older coal power stations are decommissioned and renewables begin to scale, slow and fragmented procurement processes continue to delay much-needed capacity – meaning the underlying risks to supplying electricity reliably have not yet been resolved. As we reduce reliance on legacy coal and oil-based generation, it is clear that renewables alone cannot ensure system stability due to their intermittency. The solution lies in technologies that support renewable integration and provide dispatchable power – most notably hydrogen-ready gas-to-power. While gas is a fossil fuel, it is a cleaner and scalable solution that complements wind, solar and green hydrogen, and will remain a vital component of South Africa's long-term energy mix. Shifting from coal to gas can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 60%, making gas-to-power one of the most effective available pathways for decarbonising baseload generation. South Africa has vast renewable resources, but without urgent reform in both generation and infrastructure, we risk falling behind. Our 2030 national energy targets include 6GW of gas-to-power, 10,600MW of new capacity (including solar, wind and battery storage) and the decommissioning of 8GW of coal-fired power by 2029. At the current pace, we may fall short of our own commitments by at least two years. Such delays have real economic consequences: weakened investor confidence, stalled industrial growth and continued energy insecurity for 65 million South Africans. The grid is our weakest link The issue is not just generation capacity. It is the system that connects, transmits and stabilises that capacity across the country. South Africa's existing grid infrastructure cannot support large-scale renewable integration. With lead times of up to four years for some of the transmission equipment and another 12 to 18 months for installation, delays are compounding. According to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, more than 10GW of renewable capacity awarded to independent power producers is effectively stranded due to the lack of grid access. Expanding and modernising the national grid must become an urgent investment priority – not only to meet decarbonisation goals, but to unlock new economic zones, enable decentralised power generation, and improve resilience in the face of climate-linked weather disruptions and cyber threats. Encouragingly, the recent unbundling of Eskom's transmission division is a step in the right direction. To make real progress, this must be supported by decisive investment and implementation. South Africa's grid expansion efforts have faced significant delays and accelerating them now is critical to unlocking generation capacity and ensuring energy security. Unlocking progress through procurement reform Progress on gas procurement remains slow. The recent 2GW gas-to-power request for proposal is an encouraging signal, but we must move quickly to implementation. Gas turbines can take up to three years to manufacture and deliver – any delay now will leave South Africa unprepared for coal retirements and potentially exacerbate unplanned outages. One of the most critical barriers to progress lies in our current procurement model. To meet our goals, procurement must be reformed to accelerate processes, increase scale and attract long-term investment, and industrialise. We should consider innovative, strategic procurement approaches – ones that aggregate demand, enable faster approvals and give suppliers long-term certainty. This will reduce the cost per megawatt, unlock manufacturing investment, and support job creation across the energy value chain. Other countries have shown what is possible. For example, Egypt and Saudi Arabia have successfully accelerated energy infrastructure development by prioritising speed, scale and sustainability in their procurement frameworks. Our industrial growth depends on energy stability This is not just a debate about energy – it is a national development imperative. Without reliable, affordable power we cannot grow our manufacturing base, expand mining operations or attract global investment. Energy is not a cost centre. It is a strategic enabler of national competitiveness, especially in turbulent times. Gas infrastructure, grid expansion and renewable projects deliver a powerful combination: they improve security of supply, enable localisation and attract capital. But that only materialises if we create policy and procurement environments that give industry the confidence to invest. As we speak, South African companies are already reducing their reliance on the national grid. Rooftop solar installations are surging. Independent power producer deals are accelerating. This is what we need if we want to support inclusive, economy-wide transformation, but we also need infrastructure at scale – and that can only be delivered through coordinated public-private partnerships, anchored by the government's strategic direction. Africa cannot afford to wait Across the continent, the ambitions of the energy transition are being slowed down by infrastructure gaps, regulatory complexity and undercapitalisation. As South Africa chairs the G20, we must demonstrate that emerging markets are ready for investment, localisation and technology partnerships. At the upcoming Africa Energy Forum (AEF) tomorrow (Tuesday, 17 June), our message is clear: Africa's energy transformation must happen now – and it cannot happen in isolation. We need cross-border collaboration to accelerate technology deployment, de-risk financing and enable shared infrastructure. The time for incrementalism is over. Our immediate priorities need to be the fast-tracking of procurement of hydrogen-ready gas-to-power, the acceleration of grid expansion and modernisation, the implementation of strategic, long-term procurement approaches and the prioritisation of localisation and skills development – all supported by a strong national long-term investment strategy. This is not just power generation – it is about building an economy that works for industry, for communities and for future generations. The decisions we make in the next 12 to 18 months will determine whether South Africa transitions out of survival mode and into long-term energy security, sustainability and affordability. DM
Scoop
14-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
From Carbon Costs To Gas Gaps: NZ Energy Sector Flags Rising Pressures
Press Release – BusinessNZ The 2025 Country Issues Map is out now. The report surveyed energy leaders across the wider energy sector to get a snapshot of what keeps them awake at night, and busy during the day. New information from the World Energy Council shows affordability, carbon pricing, and demand management are the top energy concerns in New Zealand. The 2025 Country Issues Map is out now. The report surveyed energy leaders across the wider energy sector to get a snapshot of what keeps them awake at night, and busy during the day. BusinessNZ Energy Council (BEC) Executive Director Tina Schirr says the map paints a clear picture of the sector's issues that still need to be addressed. 'Affordability being the dominant concern on the 2025 map is no surprise given the strain placed on the electricity sector during last year's dry winter, and the compounding issue of reduced gas availability.' Carbon pricing ranks high on the uncertainty list, reflecting instability in the Emissions Trading Scheme, an oversupply of New Zealand Units, and investor hesitancy. Schirr says gas users will continue to face difficulties accessing viable alternatives. 'However, there is growing acknowledgement that grid-scale storage and demand response measures can help reduce supply risks, especially during dry years. 'How New Zealand manages the energy trilemma – balancing security, sustainability, and equity – has become an increasing area of concern in these reports. Uncertainty over gas reliability is now a key threat to security of supply and affecting affordability across the wider industry.' Schirr says that over the years, a major blind spot for New Zealand remains unchanged – community engagement. 'Engagement and energy literacy continue to rank low for both uncertainty and impact, despite their importance in building lasting public support for energy transitions. 'On the bright side, infrastructure concerns that dominated previous years have eased somewhat, but transmission grids and long-term planning remain high-priority actions. New Zealand also retains its position as a global energy innovator. 'lastly, the report reinforces that our abundant renewable energy resources and strong public-private position on collaboration will serve us well for energy transition to come.'
Scoop
14-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
From Carbon Costs To Gas Gaps: NZ Energy Sector Flags Rising Pressures
Press Release – BusinessNZ The 2025 Country Issues Map is out now. The report surveyed energy leaders across the wider energy sector to get a snapshot of what keeps them awake at night, and busy during the day. New information from the World Energy Council shows affordability, carbon pricing, and demand management are the top energy concerns in New Zealand. The 2025 Country Issues Map is out now. The report surveyed energy leaders across the wider energy sector to get a snapshot of what keeps them awake at night, and busy during the day. BusinessNZ Energy Council (BEC) Executive Director Tina Schirr says the map paints a clear picture of the sector's issues that still need to be addressed. 'Affordability being the dominant concern on the 2025 map is no surprise given the strain placed on the electricity sector during last year's dry winter, and the compounding issue of reduced gas availability.' Carbon pricing ranks high on the uncertainty list, reflecting instability in the Emissions Trading Scheme, an oversupply of New Zealand Units, and investor hesitancy. Schirr says gas users will continue to face difficulties accessing viable alternatives. 'However, there is growing acknowledgement that grid-scale storage and demand response measures can help reduce supply risks, especially during dry years. 'How New Zealand manages the energy trilemma – balancing security, sustainability, and equity – has become an increasing area of concern in these reports. Uncertainty over gas reliability is now a key threat to security of supply and affecting affordability across the wider industry.' Schirr says that over the years, a major blind spot for New Zealand remains unchanged – community engagement. 'Engagement and energy literacy continue to rank low for both uncertainty and impact, despite their importance in building lasting public support for energy transitions. 'On the bright side, infrastructure concerns that dominated previous years have eased somewhat, but transmission grids and long-term planning remain high-priority actions. New Zealand also retains its position as a global energy innovator. 'lastly, the report reinforces that our abundant renewable energy resources and strong public-private position on collaboration will serve us well for energy transition to come.'
Scoop
14-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
From Carbon Costs To Gas Gaps: NZ Energy Sector Flags Rising Pressures
New information from the World Energy Council shows affordability, carbon pricing, and demand management are the top energy concerns in New Zealand. The 2025 Country Issues Map is out now. The report surveyed energy leaders across the wider energy sector to get a snapshot of what keeps them awake at night, and busy during the day. BusinessNZ Energy Council (BEC) Executive Director Tina Schirr says the map paints a clear picture of the sector's issues that still need to be addressed. "Affordability being the dominant concern on the 2025 map is no surprise given the strain placed on the electricity sector during last year's dry winter, and the compounding issue of reduced gas availability." Carbon pricing ranks high on the uncertainty list, reflecting instability in the Emissions Trading Scheme, an oversupply of New Zealand Units, and investor hesitancy. Schirr says gas users will continue to face difficulties accessing viable alternatives. "However, there is growing acknowledgement that grid-scale storage and demand response measures can help reduce supply risks, especially during dry years. "How New Zealand manages the energy trilemma - balancing security, sustainability, and equity - has become an increasing area of concern in these reports. Uncertainty over gas reliability is now a key threat to security of supply and affecting affordability across the wider industry." Schirr says that over the years, a major blind spot for New Zealand remains unchanged - community engagement. "Engagement and energy literacy continue to rank low for both uncertainty and impact, despite their importance in building lasting public support for energy transitions. "On the bright side, infrastructure concerns that dominated previous years have eased somewhat, but transmission grids and long-term planning remain high-priority actions. New Zealand also retains its position as a global energy innovator. "lastly, the report reinforces that our abundant renewable energy resources and strong public-private position on collaboration will serve us well for energy transition to come."
