General – Congress
Rotterdam in The Netherlands is to host the World Energy Council’s 26th World Energy Congress from 4-7 December 2023.
Themed ‘Redesigning Energy for People and Planet’, the four-day gathering marks the Council’s centenary in world energy and will explore the role of connected energy societies in driving forward global energy transitions in a less predictable, more turbulent and faster shifting world context.
Energy transitions have always triggered societal disruption and current transitions are no exception. With the World Energy Council’s Humanising Energy vision embedded at its core, the event aims to put people, their evolving needs, and the planet at the heart of global energy transitions.
The 26th World Energy Congress has been brought forward from 2025 due to the pressing need to convene energy leaders to progress new possibilities linked to affordability, sustainability and energy security, together with the cancellation of the 25th Congress earlier this year.
Since the first Congress in 1924, the World Energy Congress has led the global energy agenda and operated as a truly unique community through different eras of energy transition. The Congress is attended by heads of state, ministers, CEOs, and wider energy society interests, including energy users, cities and communities.
Dr Angela Wilkinson, Secretary General and CEO, World Energy Council, said: “The world is in crisis, and this is a significant moment in the history of world energy cooperation. I would like to thank the Dutch member committee of the World Energy Council, the Dutch government and the City of Rotterdam, for their flexibility and desire to accelerate timelines.”
“Our world energy community is convening in person, in Rotterdam, to forge a new way forward – the challenge is to create a better system which anticipates new uses and users and involves more diverse energy interests. Accelerating clean and just energy transitions in all world regions is essential, and best progressed with energy trilemma solutions that empower people and communities to better manage the energy in their lives.”
His Excellency Rob Jetten, Minister for Climate and Energy Policy, The Netherlands, said: “The Netherlands has big ambitions when it comes to sustainable energy and climate, and we seek to play our role across the globe. We live in turbulent energy times, and the importance of gathering world energy leaders together under the auspices of a World Energy Congress could not be greater. With a hundred-year heritage and successful track record, we are delighted to be hosting the World Energy Council during its centenary year.”
Jeroen van Hoof, Chair of the World Energy Council, The Netherlands, and Chair of the World Energy Congress Rotterdam Organising Committee, said: “We were delighted to be selected to host the 26th World Energy Congress by the Council’s worldwide membership and, bearing in mind the urgency to come together in the midst of these turbulent times, we have accelerated our plans to enable a Rotterdam Congress in December 2023. As a worldwide centre for global trade and energy, and with the great initiatives we are keen to share with the world, Rotterdam offers a perfect setting to discuss the reshaping of future energy systems for both people and planet.”
World Energy Congress 2023 will be held at the Rotterdam Ahoy.
