Future of energy wider than technology hype & must meet needs of many, not the few

Dr Angela Wilkinson

Doha: As the world continues to progress multiple   energy transitions, the numerous top-down roadmaps on climate-related action require humanising, with more detail about their actual implementation, an influential voice on energy and sustainable development said. 

Speaking at the 54th edition of the GECF Gas Lecture Series, entitled ‘Humanising Energy’, Dr Angela Wilkinson, Secretary General and CEO of World Energy Council (WEC), noted that renewables will need other energy “friends” and flexible storage solutions to be widely and readily available.

There is an increasing proliferation of roadmaps, full of promises about accelerating technology and tipping points and yet empty of details on people, uses and behaviours,” said  Wilkinson, an experienced energy executive, a distinguished Oxford scholar, and a published author. “The Covid-19 crisis reminds us that the future of energy is a much bigger story than technology. The gaps between energy “haves” and “have nots” have grown wider in this crisis and this pattern is evident in all regions and countries.”

She further stated that better energy solutions are not green, blue or any other colour and net zero or carbon positive solutions must meet the needs of the many, not only the wealthy few. 

“That’s why we see the need for capital markets to rethink and rebalance the ‘S’ in ESG reporting which is impacting investment flows to energy.”

The GECF Secretary General emphasised how the Forum’s 18 Member Countries are embracing change and developing new pathways for environmentally friendly energy inspired from the cleaner attributes of natural gas. 

“We believe in accepting change, but we do believe in change that is meaningful and beneficial to the most number of people on this planet. Without a fair energy transition, the world risks leaving many communities behind,” said  Yury Sentyurin. 

“A ‘green future’ can indeed be realised based on ‘green barrels’ and, more importantly, natural gas is the most suited to be a ‘net positive’ on the road to ‘net zero’.”   

The World Energy Council is the world’s oldest independent and impartial network of energy leaders and practitioners promoting an affordable, stable and environmentally sensitive energy system for the greatest benefit of all.

Formed in 1923, the Council is the premier global energy body, representing the entire energy spectrum, with over 3,000 member organisations in over 90 countries, drawn from governments, private and state corporations, academia, NGOs and energy stakeholders.

In her remarks, guided by WEC’s philosophy of remaining a neutral advocate of energy – all responsible forms of energy – for the greatest number of people, HE Wilkinson drew parallels between the nearly 100-year-old organisation and the GECF. 

“The World Energy Council and the Gas Exporting Countries Forum have always been friends. Like all good friends, it is important to be able to discuss areas for improvement and to celebrate achievements together,” said Wilkinson, whose earliest work as a young physicist was to calculate how gas flaring and pipeline leakage reduced the environmental benefits in switching from coal to gas.   

“Molecules, as well as electrons, will play a key role in the future of energy. Natural gas – in various forms – has an important role to play as a transition bridge to the climate neutral energy future. Renewables will need other energy friends and mobile and flexible storage solutions to get to scale.”

According to her, WEC’s one-hundred-year heritage in managing energy for peace and prosperity is unique – and the foundation for convening and cultivating the practical know-how and best practices needed in today’s era of energy transitions and transformations for people and planet. 

In response, the Forum’s head highlighted that the GECF believes in the right of countries, particularly the developing economies, to have access to abundant, affordable and clean source of energy.

“We don’t condone restriction of energy policies and directing investment resources towards expensive decarbonisation options and technologies, some of which are yet to be proven. This can substantially affect the security of supply and prevent countries from accessing competitive and clean energy sources, such as natural gas, which is compatible with sustainable development,” he said. 

Citing figures from the latest iteration of the GECF Global Gas Outlook 2050, HE Sentyurin asserted that fossil fuels are projected to remain dominant, accounting for 71 percent in 2050 while natural gas will become the leading source of energy in the world’s primary energy mix, growing from 23 percent today to 28 percent.

The two speakers also underscored the importance of cooperation and extended support to each others’ missions where in alignment. In her presentation, Wilkinson further laid stress on the importance of the upcoming 25th World Energy Congress, organised by the Council, in St Petersburg in 2022 which will take place in the backdrop of a world on an expected recovery and coincide with the centenary celebrations of the World Energy Council.