World Resources Institute 43d ago

Join the WRI Polsky Energy Summit live from London on 21 May 2026 for a high-level discussion on what surging demand and geopolitical tensions mean for the global energy transition. The session will feature a fireside chat with Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) and a keynote address from Chris Stark CBE, Head of UK’s Mission for Clean Power, UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. This is a unique opportunity to hear from two of the world's leading energy experts live from the WRI Polsky Energy Summit. Global electricity demand is entering a period of sustained growth, driven by a combination of factors including advances in AI, rapid electrification, expanding cooling needs and industrial transformation. Meeting this demand is becoming a central issue for energy security, economic competitiveness and long-term system resilience. This discussion will examine the forces behind this surge in demand, explore the energy security landscape, and identify the practical pathways available to meet demand while boosting security through clean, abundant, affordable and reliable energy.