Everything Energy

The forgotten giant of electricity 21.05.2026 18dk

Hydropower is the third largest source of power generation globally, producing roughly as much electricity as solar and wind combined. Yet despite its huge role in electricity systems around the world, it is often left out of conversations on energy. In this episode, IEA renewable energy analyst Yasmina Abdelilah explains how the role of hydropower in electricity systems has evolved in recent decades. With electricity demand surging around the world, she highlights the benefits hydropower could deliver across both advanced and emerging economies and discusses what is needed to overcome key barriers.

The relationship between energy and AI is evolving rapidly 07.05.2026 29dk

A lot has happened since the IEA published its landmark report last year on what artificial intelligence could mean for global electricity demand and its potential to reshape how energy systems work. The tech sector has poured hundreds of billions of dollars of additional investment into AI, while the technology itself and the ways in which it’s used have continued to develop rapidly. At the same time, the deployment of AI is increasingly constrained by a range of physical bottlenecks, including for energy, raising questions about the rate at which it can expand in the near term. In this episode, IEA analysts Siddharth Singh and Thomas Spencer – the lead authors of a new report on energy and AI – unpack these developments and their implications. They explain what energy and AI’s special relationship looks like in 2026 and how it could evolve in the years ahead.

Critical minerals and energy security 24.04.2026 23dk

Critical minerals are essential for many of today’s energy technologies – and for the broader economy. Lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese and graphite, for example, are crucial to battery performance. Rare earth elements are indispensable for the permanent magnets in wind turbines and electric vehicle motors. And electricity networks need huge amounts of aluminium and copper. As demand for these materials rises rapidly, so does their strategic importance. But in recent years, critical mineral supply chains have become more concentrated, not less – demanding greater attention from policymakers and industry. This episode features conversations with Benjamin Gallezot, the critical minerals envoy of France – which holds this year’s G7 Presidency – and Jakob Stausholm, the former CEO of multinational mining group Rio Tinto. Speaking on the sidelines of the IEA’s 2026 Ministerial Meeting in February, they discuss the growing importance of critical minerals for global energy and economic security – and what steps could be taken to strengthen supply chain security and resilience. Tae-Yoon Kim, the head of the IEA’s Critical Minerals Division, also joins the episode to share the latest data and analysis on the subject, as well as how the IEA is bringing countries together to tackle supply risks.

The mounting disruptions in oil markets 17.04.2026 19dk

Amid the war in the Middle East, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz – one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints – has plunged, creating the largest disruption to oil supply in history. How is this shock rippling through oil markets? What are the real-world consequences for oil-consuming countries and industries? And how has it changed the IEA’s forecasts for supply and demand in the months ahead? In this episode, senior oil market analysts Rebecca Schulz and David Martin discuss these questions and more, drawing on fresh data and analysis from the IEA’s April Oil Market Report.

Feeling the effects of the energy crisis 02.04.2026 16dk

Four-day workweeks. Designated driving days. Fewer business trips. Across Southeast Asia, governments have been moving quickly to adopt measures that conserve fuel – highlighting the region’s exposure to the energy crisis caused by the near closure of the Strait of Hormuz. In this episode, Sue-Ern Tan, Head of the IEA’s Regional Cooperation Centre in Singapore, explains why countries in Southeast Asia are among the hardest hit by current energy supply disruptions. She discusses how rising prices and fuel shortages are already affecting daily life – and the steps governments are taking to help shield consumers from the worst impacts.

10 ways to ease oil price pressures on consumers 26.03.2026 19dk

Oil prices have surged amid the war in the Middle East, putting pressures on consumers around the world. To help address the supply disruptions, the IEA is coordinating the largest ever release of oil from countries’ emergency reserves. But actions on the demand side can also play a key role. In this episode, Stéphanie Bouckaert, Head of the IEA’s Demand Sectors Unit, and Lucas Boehlé, an analyst specialising in energy efficiency, explain 10 practical options for governments, businesses and households that could help shelter consumers from oil price pressures during this unfolding crisis.

The IEA’s largest ever emergency oil stock release 20.03.2026 14dk

The global oil market is facing the most severe disruption in its history, with the war in the Middle East largely halting energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical trade chokepoint. In response to this disruption, IEA Member countries agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil from their emergency stocks – the largest collective action since the Agency’s founding more than 50 years ago. In this special episode, IEA Director of Energy Markets and Security Keisuke Sadamori puts the stock release in context and answers key questions about the decision and its implementation.

The future of energy security 26.02.2026 25dk

As risks multiply around the world, energy security has rapidly climbed to the top of the political agenda – leaving policymakers to navigate an increasingly complex mix of traditional threats and emerging vulnerabilities. This episode features conversations with Tan See Leng, Singapore’s Minister for Manpower and Minister-in-Charge of Energy, Science and Technology, and Leila Benali, Morocco’s Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development. Speaking on the sidelines of the IEA’s 2026 Ministerial Meeting, they discuss the fast-evolving energy security challenges facing their countries and the measures they are taking to tackle them. IEA Chief Energy Economist Tim Gould also joins the episode to highlight key findings from the recent World Energy Outlook 2025 report, which explores the potential implications of a shifting and multifaceted energy security context for decision-makers worldwide.

What’s driving the surge in energy jobs? 05.02.2026 15dk

The global energy sector is adding jobs twice as fast as the overall economy. But where is this growth coming from? And with skills shortages increasing, can it keep up the momentum? In this episode, IEA analysts Elspeth Hathaway and Rebecca Ruff – two authors of the World Energy Employment report – dive into the latest data. They talk about who works in the energy sector, what’s been driving the strong rise in energy jobs globally, and how to tackle growing skills gaps, which could otherwise complicate efforts by countries to meet rising energy demand securely and affordably.

The state of play for hydrogen 23.01.2026 18dk

Enthusiasm for hydrogen has surged in recent years. The most abundant element in the universe, it offers a wide range of potential energy applications, and many governments now see it as an important part of the solution to their energy challenges.Much of the focus has been on low‑emissions hydrogen. But building markets around a still‑emerging technology is far from straightforward. In this episode, IEA Energy Technology Analyst José Bermudez explores the obstacles that have slowed progress – and discusses why production could still grow strongly between now and 2030.

What’s next for the global car industry? 09.01.2026 16dk

The car industry is a key part of many economies – and with passenger cars representing the single largest source of global oil demand today, changes in the worldwide auto sector have important implications for the energy sector. The global car industry is undergoing significant shifts, as the geography of car production evolves, new regions drive sales growth, and electric cars expand consumer choices. In this episode, IEA Energy Technology Analysts Elizabeth Connelly and Leonardo Paoli – the lead authors of a recent report on the car industry – unpack the structural trends. They examine the underlying drivers, assess the potential implications for the energy sector and beyond, and discuss how competitiveness can be sustained in this market context.

The shifting geography of energy demand 18.12.2025 24dk

For many decades, global energy demand was mainly concentrated in wealthy, industrialised economies such as the United States, Europe and Japan. That has changed in the 21st century as China’s rapid economic growth moved the centre of gravity eastward, with the country driving more than half of global oil and gas demand growth and 60% of electricity demand growth since 2010. Now, the landscape is shifting again. Emerging economies – led by India and Southeast Asia, and joined by countries in the Middle East, Latin America and Africa – are poised to take the baton from China. This brings new opportunities and challenges that will affect energy markets for years to come. In this episode, Ali Saffar, Head of the IEA’s Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America Division, and IEA energy analyst Siddharth Singh explore how energy demand has evolved over the past half-century and share insights on what lies ahead, based on new analysis in recent IEA reports.

How to bring power to 600 million people 11.12.2025 28dk

Today, nearly two out of every five people in Africa still live without access to electricity. That means no lighting at home or in schools, no power to grow businesses, and no reliable energy for healthcare or essential services. New IEA analysis outlines a pathway to universal access to electricity by 2035. But what will it take to get there? In this episode, Emma Gordon and Adam Ward – energy investment analysts and lead authors of a recent IEA report on this topic – explain what is needed, including the financial tools that could unlock essential investment.

The future of solar power 27.11.2025 27dk

In every scenario in the IEA’s flagship World Energy Outlook 2025, solar power is projected to grow rapidly in the coming decades. But what is driving this growth? And what could slow it down or speed it up? In this episode, Brent Wanner, Head of the IEA’s Power Supply Unit, and Anthony Vautrin, an energy modeller, unpack the new report’s key findings on solar. They discuss the trends that have underpinned solar’s rapid ascent, its potential to meet rising electricity demand around the world, and some of the key factors that are likely to affect its future growth.

World Energy Outlook 2025: Key takeaways 14.11.2025 32dk

The World Energy Outlook 2025 – the latest edition of the IEA’s flagship annual report, which explores a range of possible energy futures and their implications for energy security, access and emissions – is out now.This episode walks through the key findings of the report with its lead authors: IEA Director of Sustainability, Technology and Outlooks Laura Cozzi and Chief Energy Economist Tim Gould. They discuss its biggest takeaways – including the growing energy security risks across an unprecedented range of fuels and technologies, how the energy mix could evolve in the coming decades, the arrival of the Age of Electricity, how the geographic centres of energy demand are shifting, and more. More details on the scenarios in the report can be found in this commentary.

Ukraine’s energy security and the coming winter 30.10.2025 21dk

As Ukraine enters another winter at war, its energy security is once again in jeopardy. While Ukraine made strong strides in rebuilding and strengthening the resilience of its energy system this past spring and summer, the situation remains fragile. The risk of major disruptions to electricity and heating in the coming months remains – particularly as Russia expands the scope and sophistication of its attacks on energy infrastructure. This episode draws on insights from the most recent IEA visit to Kyiv in October. Talya Vatman, the IEA’s Caspian and Black Sea Programme Manager, shares what she heard from Ukrainians – including representatives from government and the energy sector – and highlights recent IEA analysis on how Ukraine and its partners can address the country’s urgent energy security and bolster longer-term energy resilience.

Southeast Asia’s growing energy importance 16.10.2025 24dk

Southeast Asia is a dynamic region that is increasingly shaping global energy trends. As populations and economies grow, its energy demand is set to soar in the coming years, accounting for a quarter of global growth over the next decade. It also plays a critical role in the supply chains for energy technologies. In this episode, we’re joined by Sue-Ern Tan, Head of the IEA’s Regional Cooperation Centre in Singapore. From the Agency’s first office outside its Paris headquarters, she unpacks these trends, examining the key opportunities and challenges ahead. She also outlines what countries in the region need to do to achieve the ambitious energy goals they have set.

How petrochemicals are reshaping oil markets 02.10.2025 18dk

Products made from petrochemicals are all around us – in our clothes, electronics, packaging, medical equipment, tires and so much more. But what are petrochemicals? And why are they so important for the future of global oil markets? In this episode, we speak with IEA Oil Market Analysts David Martin and Ciarán Healy. They explain how petrochemicals are produced, why demand for them is rising quickly and what this could mean for the oil sector, from the impact on refineries to the potential implications for emissions.

Where does the world’s electricity come from? 18.09.2025 17dk

When many people think about energy, electricity comes to mind. The bedrock of modern societies and economies, it powers everything from home appliances to factory machinery – keeping the lights on, trains running and much more – although a great deal more work is needed to ensure universal access to it worldwide.Globally, electricity demand is rising quickly. So, in this episode, we speak with IEA Electricity Analyst Eren Çam. He explains which sources the world’s power comes from today and how that mix could evolve in the years ahead – as well as how countries can ramp up electricity supply securely and affordably.

Tackling a major energy injustice 28.08.2025 23dk

Today, four in five families in African countries cook with fuels such as wood and charcoal over open fires or basic stoves. This leads to more than 800,000 premature deaths each year. But new IEA analysis shows that momentum is building to address this critical issue – opening a pathway to reach universal access to clean cooking in Africa by 2040. In this episode, we hear from Syrine El Abed, IEA Africa Programme Manager, and Dan Wetzel, Head of the IEA’s Tracking Sustainable Transitions Unit. They explain what the lack of clean cooking supplies means in practice, what the latest data reveals, what more can be done to close the access gap, and why the energy sector is key to solving this challenge.