IEA Ministerial: In the Age of Electricity, energy security depends on resilience and cooperation

As global electricity demand accelerates and power grids become the backbone of modern economies, many governments worldwide are prioritising resilience and calling for stronger cooperation on energy security. This came through clearly in a high-level dialogue on energy security in the Age of Electricity that took place in Paris on 18 February alongside the 2026 IEA Ministerial Meeting.

More than 120 Ministers, power system operators, industry representatives and civil society leaders took part in the high-level dialogue to examine how the rapid expansion of electricity systems globally is redefining energy security and what policy responses are needed to address emerging risks. The session was led by Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands Sophie Hermans, who chaired the IEA Ministerial, IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol, UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband, and Ambassador Stephen Jones of Australia.

Participants emphasised that the Age of Electricity is now firmly underway. Rising power demand across sectors – driven by the electrification of transport, industry and buildings as well as growing needs from cooling, artificial intelligence and data centres – is reshaping the global energy landscape. As highlighted in the IEA’s World Energy Outlook 2025, renewables are expanding rapidly and electricity systems are playing an increasingly central role in energy security strategies.

While reaffirming that the core principles of energy security – diversification, predictable policy frameworks and international cooperation – remain essential, participants also stressed that these must now extend beyond traditional fuel supply. In an era of rising power demand and expanding renewable generation, the discussion highlighted the need for today's electricity networks to be reimagined to include grid expansion, flexibility and digital security – while keeping consumers and affordability at the centre.

Multiple speakers also underscored the significant opportunities that the rapid growth of renewables present for energy security. In many regions, renewables are among the most secure and cost-competitive sources of new electricity generation, reducing exposure to imported fuel volatility and strengthening domestic supply. When paired with modernised grids, storage and demand-side flexibility, renewables can enhance system resilience while accelerating transitions to energy systems with lower emissions. Many of the participants highlighted that expanding renewable deployment – supported by clear policy frameworks and modernised grids – can advance security, affordability and competitiveness in parallel.

At the same time, the transformation of power systems is introducing new vulnerabilities. While electrification offers opportunities to expand energy access and support economic development, larger and more complex networks require updated approaches to managing risks linked to increasingly extreme weather events, cybersecurity threats and supply chain disruptions. From an operational perspective, maintaining stable grid operations as growing shares of wind, solar and batteries are integrated into electricity systems was identified as a key issue.

Participants emphasised the need for sustained, large-scale investment in electricity generation capacity, power grids, energy storage and digital infrastructure. Stable and predictable policy environments were described as critical to mobilising private capital at pace and scale. Speakers also highlighted that deeper regional interconnections could also help manage shared risks, make better use of complementary energy resources and strengthen overall system resilience, recognising that the transformation of electricity systems requires coordinated action across borders.

The high-level dialogue built on the momentum of the Summit on the Future of Energy Security held in April 2025 by the IEA and the United Kingdom, which brought together over 60 governments and 65 industry leaders in London and highlighted the importance of a more holistic approach to safeguarding energy systems.

The discussion informed the 2026 Ministerial Chair’s Summary, which reaffirmed the IEA’s central role in energy security, including for electricity. In recent years, the IEA has continued to expand its work in this area through its Electricity Security Task Force, which brings together stakeholders to address critical electricity security challenges.