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

Global instability has increasingly disrupted both energy supply and prices in recent years. While high energy costs are not the only obstacle to Europe’s competitiveness, these price shocks have certainly intensified the challenges.

As Europe accelerates its efforts to decarbonize and meet its climate goals, the question arises: can it withstand further crises without jeopardizing its energy security?

In this episode of The Big Question, Dr. Fatih Birol joins Euronews’ Hannah Brown to discuss how the shift to clean energy can bolster Europe’s resilience in the face of future crises.

How Are Global Conflicts Impacting the Energy Transition?

Dr. Birol stresses that ongoing global conflicts make it more difficult for nations to collaborate on pressing issues like climate change.

When asked about the changes he hopes to see before the next World Energy Outlook—the IEA’s annual report released every October—Dr. Birol expressed hope that countries would come together and reach a consensus on how to move forward with energy policy and climate action.

Despite the lack of global cooperation, and perhaps surprisingly, Dr. Birol argues that crises and geopolitical tensions have actually sped up the transition to renewable energy.

“The more we transition to clean energy, the more we insulate ourselves from these crises because no one can take solar or wind energy hostage,” Dr. Birol said.

“As political tensions and energy security threats grow, the demand for clean energy intensifies—not just to address climate change, but to ensure energy security as well.”

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

Dr. Birol envisions that we are entering the “age of electricity,” where the majority of electricity will be produced from clean sources like solar, wind, hydropower, and nuclear energy.

However, he argues that geothermal energy should play a much bigger role in Europe’s energy mix.

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

“We are working hard to bring down the cost of geothermal energy so it can complement solar and wind energy,” he said.

Dr. Birol sees geothermal energy as a crucial part of building a more reliable and resilient energy system—one that is less vulnerable to external disruptions. He emphasizes that clean energy not only provides a solution to the climate crisis but is also a critical tool for enhancing energy security in today’s increasingly unstable geopolitical landscape.