World Energy Issues Monitor 2020 published by the World Energy Council
The World Energy Issues Monitor 2020 has been unveiled in Brussels by World Energy Council Secretary General Angela Wilkinson and Klaus-Dieter Borchardt, Deputy Director-General at the Directorate-General for Energy at the European Commission. Amongst other things, the publication details the outcomes of the World Energy Congress 2019. The 2022 edition of the event is scheduled to take place in St. Petersburg, and is being organized by the World Energy Council, the Russian National Committee of the World Energy Council, and the Roscongress Foundation.
The annual study is a unique initiative by the World Energy Council. The 2020 edition draws upon the opinions of leading energy experts to cover the main issues facing the sector, and its key priorities. A survey of more than 3,000 energy leaders in 104 countries enabled the World Energy Council to identify the main trends and agenda items in energy and related industries, with consideration given to regional aspects.
This year’s study drew a number of key conclusions:
- Macroeconomic and geopolitical issues are the key critical uncertainties
- Technology innovation is driving most of the action priorities for the energy sector
- Self-reliance is outpacing regional integration as key enabler of energy security
A new feature of this year’s Issues Monitor was a study of the customer’s perspective of the transition to new energy sources. “The need to engage communities and societies in energy systems development and transition is becoming more pressing. We are reaching out beyond the energy sector to engage new and non-traditional energy transition leaders,” said Angela Wilkinson.
The World Energy Issues Monitor 2020 identifies shifting models impacting energy systems development and the ongoing transition on a multi-local, regional, and global basis. Some of the key topics and trends that have emerged from studying these models and analysing consumer behaviour include the following:
- The third decade of the 21st century may be the decade of the consumer
- Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) is gaining in importance within the oil & gas sector
- While opinions differ globally, nuclear power remains important in Europe
Wilkinson added that “Our annual World Energy Issues Monitor is a unique tool for enabling shared understanding of the implementation challenges involved in accelerating the pace of new energy systems development and transitions.”
The full report is available for download from the World Energy Council website
