Centenary
OUR WORLD ENERGY COMMUNITY WAS FORMED IN 1923, AHEAD OF THE FIRST WORLD POWER CONFERENCE, WHICH TOOK PLACE IN LONDON THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
The community was built by visionary leadership in a time of post-conflict turmoil, with an overarching goal to rebuild energy systems to deliver peace and to ensure energy could bring benefits to all.
Since this first gathering of 41 countries, we have built a deeply local and globally networked community that today works collaboratively in nearly 100 countries, progressing solutions, inspiring leadership action and promoting the sustainable supply and use of energy across the world.
The World Energy Council has been convening global energy leaders in constructive and collaborative dialogue since the first World Power Conference in 1924 and was the first organisation to connect social equity and energy interests in the 1930s. We have driven progress on renewable energy for more than 70 years, since well before governments began investing in research facilities and delivering policies to promote its usage.
The Council established the world’s first Future Energy Leaders programme over 40 years ago, and our practical World Energy Trilemma has helped measure and manage progress on energy transition by connecting energy security, affordability and sustainability for more than 15 years. Today, it is shaping and informing energy policy in over 120 countries.
As a deeply local yet globally connected energy community, we are uniquely positioned to succeed for another 100 years. Our success would not have been possible without the collaboration and cooperation of all our national Member Committees, global Future Energy Leaders, dedicated Partners and wider membership. Together we are shaping the future of energy for billions of better lives and one healthy planet.
Our community was formed in 1923 ahead of the first World Power Conference, which took place in London in 1924. Since then, we have achieved significant impact, building a deeply local and globally networked energy community of over 3,000 member organisations in 90 different countries across the globe.
Few organisations stand the test of time and remain relevant like us. We think the best way to move forward at pace and scale is by involving more people and communities. This is why, building upon decades of connecting climate and energy agendas, we have refocused our enduring mission on a vision of Humanising Energy. We remain committed to supporting diverse regions in leading with and learning from one another. Societal transformation is a socially messy process, and as such there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution, nor silver – or green - technology bullet.
We are and will always be independent, impartial, innovative and impactful. What we have learned from the last 100 years, regarding energy for peace and prosperity, is relevant to a new era of energy for people and planet. That is why this fast-approaching centenary is so momentous; it serves as an opportunity for celebration and preparation for another 100 years of transformational impact. We will run a centenary celebration season from 2023 to 2025. We look forward to gathering at local and international events in the run up to our 26th World Energy Congress in Rotterdam, 2024 - exactly 100 years after the first ever World Energy gathering.
We are not only celebrating our long history but also looking forward to a cleaner, better future for people and planet.
Secretary General & CEO
The Council has withstood many changes, from geopolitical and economic upheavals to a complete shift in the way people understand and use energy. It adapted to a changing world. Throughout history, it has never strayed from the initial concept of an organisation that is impartial, objective and realistic.
Our history
Throughout the last 100 years, the world has reeled from shocks and crises as they play out in the geopolitical sphere and have resounding impact on the energy landscape. The World Energy Council has, however, remained an impartial and realistic organisation that is both non-governmental and non-commercial in its objectives. Better energy for people and planet, whilst not forgetting peace and prosperity, has been the enduring mission of the World Energy Council for a century – and it is how we plan to continue.
