“The more we transition to clean energy, the more resilient we become to global conflicts because no one can take solar or wind energy hostage,” Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), told Euronews.

In recent years, global instability has dramatically affected both the supply and price of energy. While rising energy costs are not the only factor holding back Europe’s competitiveness, these pricing shocks have certainly made the situation more challenging.

As Europe accelerates its efforts to decarbonize in line with climate goals, the pressing question is: can it endure more crises without jeopardizing its energy security?

In this episode of The Big Question, Dr. Birol discusses with Euronews’ Hannah Brown how the transition to clean energy can make Europe more resilient to future crises.

How Are Global Conflicts Affecting the Energy Transition?

Dr. Birol highlights that while conflicts continue, countries struggle to collaborate effectively on global issues like climate change.

When asked about the changes he hopes to see before the next World Energy Outlook – an annual report published by the IEA each October – Dr. Birol expressed the hope that countries would unite and reach a consensus on how to address energy challenges moving forward.

Despite the lack of global cooperation, and perhaps paradoxically, conflicts and crises have actually accelerated the push for renewable energy.

“The more we shift to clean energy, the more resistant we become to these crises because no one can take solar or wind energy hostage,” Dr. Birol said in his interview with Euronews.

“As energy security threats, driven by political tensions, intensify, the push for clean energy becomes even stronger—not just for climate reasons, but for energy security reasons as well.”

Entering the “Age of Electricity” and the Role of Geothermal Energy

According to Dr. Birol, we are entering what he calls the “age of electricity,” with a growing majority of this electricity being generated from clean sources such as solar, wind, hydropower, and nuclear energy.

However, he argues that geothermal energy should become a more significant component of Europe’s energy mix.

“Geothermal energy can help us generate electricity without interruptions,” Dr. Birol explained, noting that unlike wind or solar, geothermal energy is available 24/7.

“We are working hard to reduce the cost of geothermal energy so that it can complement solar and wind energy,” he added.

Dr. Birol sees geothermal as a key piece in building a more resilient and stable energy system—one that is less vulnerable to external disruptions. He underscores that clean energy is not just a solution to climate change, but also a vital part of addressing today’s geopolitical and security challenges.