Fatih Birol on Energy Security, AI Electricity Demand & Clean Power | WRI Polsky Energy Summit

IEA Executive Director Dr. Fatih Birol joins the WRI Polsky Energy Summit to discuss global energy security, surging electricity demand, AI, air conditioning, EVs, renewables, nuclear power and the future of clean power. The session also features a keynote from Chris Stark CBE, Head of the UK’s Mission for Clean Power, on the UK’s push to deliver clean power by 2030, reduce exposure to fossil fuel price shocks, expand electrification and make clean energy valuable for consumers. === Global electricity demand is rising fast, driven by AI data centers, rapid electrification, cooling demand, electric vehicles and industrial transformation. At the same time, geopolitical tensions and fossil fuel supply risks are putting energy security back at the center of economic and political decision-making. In this WRI Polsky Energy Summit session, Dr. Fatih Birol explains why the world is entering “the age of electricity,” why clean energy is now central to energy security, and how governments can respond to crisis with smarter long-term energy strategies. Chris Stark outlines the UK’s clean power mission and the practical barriers governments face in scaling renewables, storage, grids, electrification and consumer adoption. Topics covered include: energy security, electricity demand, AI and data centers, air conditioning and cooling demand, electric vehicles, renewables, solar power, batteries, nuclear power, natural gas, grids, clean cooking, Africa energy access, UK clean power 2030, fossil fuel price shocks, electrification and clean energy policy. 00:00 Opening: Global energy demand, security and clean power 02:20 Welcome and introduction - Dr. Fatih Birol 03:31 Fatih Birol on the global energy supply disruption 11:12 Electricity demand, AI, EVs and air conditioning 17:24 Renewables, solar, batteries, nuclear and natural gas 20:00 Electrification, transport, heat pumps and grids 21:17 Nuclear power, Europe and small modular reactors 25:28 Energy access, clean cooking and Africa 28:46 Lessons from past energy crises 32:39 Introduction - Chris Stark CBE 33:55 Chris Stark on UK clean power and energy security 35:43 Why the UK is exposed to fossil fuel markets 37:49 The UK clean power mission 39:29 Phase two: making clean power work for people 40:40 Breaking the link between gas and electricity prices 42:04 Electrification, EVs, batteries, solar and heat pumps 46:22 Clean power as a response to energy crisis 47:05 Lessons from delivering clean power by 2030 49:31 Consumer acceptance and electricity prices 51:37 Closing remarks #EnergySecurity #CleanEnergy #ElectricityDemand #IEA #WRI