World Energy Inside

December 2016

World Energy Council Secretary reflects back on key moments in 2016

Dear Member Committees,
I wanted to personally thank you for your involvement and for the enthusiasm you put in all activities organised in 2016. This year has been very important and intense for the World Energy Council, and without your support and commitment we would have found it challenging, if not impossible, to accomplish all the achievements with our flagship reports, the Congress, and also the further expansion of our network in new countries. Despite complexities such as the political situation and terrorism in Turkey in 2016, we delivered a safe and very successful 23rd World Energy Congress.

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Marine Biotechnology at heart of Korean green growth Strategy

The ocean is an untapped, potentially sustainable source of bioenergy. There are many examples of the production of bio-energy from marine organisms, but the production of biofuel from microalgae presents perhaps the most promising option to harvest this huge energy potential. In Korea, marine biotechnology is currently the focus of Blue Bio 2016, a strategic plan of the Ministry of land, transport and Maritime affairs. The strategy places marine biotechnology at the heart of a green growth strategy that aims to reach growth national product (GNP) per Capita USD 40, 000 through advances in marine biotechnology. The strategy accompanied by significant investment and a focus on new research and development in marine organisms, marine organism production technology, is set to make Korea a world leader.

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North America’s new Vice Chair talks Trump, climate change and innovation 

As we enter a new year, the World Energy Council talks to Robert Hanf, the Council’s new Vice Chair for the North American region about his vision for the next five years, how to mobilise bright young future energy leaders, as well as his thoughts on the impact US President-elect Donald J Trump policies may have on climate change and the energy sector.
He envisions energy transformation will continue in North America, driven by technological innovation and the push to a lower-carbon economy and sees the generation of electricity continuing to become cleaner, with better regional connections and collaboration – especially across international borders.

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Key players to discuss new energy realities at Africa Energy Indaba 2017 

As we enter 2017, key players in Africa’s Energy Scene will gather in Johannesburg to facilitate high-level discussions on the new realities for the sector at the World Energy Council’s Annual Indaba Energy Leader’s dialogue. In Africa, energy is at the forefront of political and business decision making. With the visionary agreement at COP21 in Paris, the challenge is to now turn words into measurable actions at both national and regional levels to accelerate the energy transition. The ability to deliver and deploy the most effective and innovative solutions at scale will be key to achieving secure, equitable and environmentally viable energy systems. But without clear leadership, and collaboration beyond the borders of individual nations, African nations could fall short on their ambitions.

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New energy realities for the future of gas 

In recent years, the gas market has suffered several changes. The discovery of new deposits, the evolution of gas transport techniques and the new gas pipelines are all elements that modify this market in depth. At a time of critical transition in the energy sector it is increasingly important for leading players in the gas industry to have a neutral and independent arena to exchange views, share best practices and ensure that the role of natural gas in the wider energy system is understood with clearly defined policy and market frameworks. Speaking at a press conference ‘Gas markets, projects, challenges and role of natural gas in the future’, at the Geneva Press Club, World Energy Council Secretary General, Dr Christoph Frei, talked about the future of gas in the context of the Council’s recent World Energy Scenarios 2016 report.

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Denmark sets ambitious goals as it ranks number 1 in 2016 Trilemma Index

With the government setting ambitious goals for Denmark, the country was ranked as the world’s number 1 in energy sustainability in the 2016 World Energy Trilemma Index. For that reason, the Danish National member committee of the World Energy Council organised a national presentation and discussion of the Council’s recent Trilemma Index launched at the 23rd World Energy Congress in Istanbul in October. The Index rates 125 countries on their ability to provide the country with a secure and environmental sustainable energy supply at an affordable price Speaking at the event, on 8 December, Lars Chr. Lilleholt, Danish minister for energy, utilities and climate commented on Denmark’s leading position: “Denmark should have the most integrated, market-based and flexible energy system in Europe”

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The political economy of energy prices 

Over recent years, energy prices have played a key role in the development of political events. Oil price volatility has created winners and losers both at national and international level, as well as altering the balance of political economy at a national level and impacting on regional geopolitics. What actions should governments undertake in order to mitigate the impact of such volatility? The impact of oil price volatility on investment decisions are at the forefront more than ever. In this context, this question was one of a number of issues facing the international energy agenda discussed during the annual conference of the World Energy Council’s Spanish Committee.

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WEC Austria commences dialogue with OPEC 

The current and future developments in the oil and gas sector are of essential importance for the whole energy market. Given this importance, the World Energy Council Austria and the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries determined ongoing cooperation in July 2016.It was agreed that future collaboration on activities such as events and information sharing as well as ongoing dialogue between OPEC and the World Energy Council was crucial. This cooperation successfully started with a first exchange on 14 September its Young Energy Professionals visited the OPEC Headquarters in Vienna.

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World Energy Council launches new Resources report at 23rd Congress 

The 2016 World Energy Resources report launched at the 23rd World Energy Congress reveals that the unexpectedly high growth in the renewable energies market, in terms of investment, new capacity and high growth rates in developing countries, has contributed to falling prices and the increased decoupling of economic growth and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The energy landscape has changed with most countries achieving a more diversified energy mix as well as a growth in community ownerships and an evolution of micro grids. Speaking at the launch of the report on 12 October, Hans-Wilhelm Schiffer, Executive Chair, World Energy Resources, said:

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Africa Energy Indaba 2017

2017’s highly anticipated Africa Energy Indaba, held in Johannesburg between 21 – 22 February, will enable you to share your knowledge and expertise and best practice with key energy leaders and professionals who come together to seek solutions for Africa’s energy future.

PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE:

• 60 African & Global Energy CEOs
• 10 + African energy Ministers
• 600+ Delegates
• 100+ Exhibitors
• 80+ Media representatives

KEY SIDE EVENTS INCLUDE:

• World Energy Council Scenarios workshop
• World Energy Council Africa Regional
  workshops
• Africa Energy Leaders Dialogue
• Africa Gas Forum

Become part of Africa Energy Indaba. Sign up to participate in this important process that is shaping the future of Africa.

For more information and to register click here