Secretary of Energy Ed Miliband defended clean energy for security, and warned that US envoys would overshadow climate ambitions to mask economic growth.
The London Energy Security Summit highlights departments among leaders on how to balance clean energy goals with geopolitical instability with the risks of supply chain pressure.
The two-day summit, co-hosted by the government and the International Energy Agency (IEA), began on Thursday. Government and industry leaders gathered to discuss the risks of energy security, from the fossil fuel supply shock to key mineral dependence in the promotion of net zero.
Ed Miliband, who opened the summit, set a firm stance in the UK and promoted a “stricken approach” that surrounded the power of low carbon not only as a climate solution but as a foundation for national security.
“As long as we can arm our energy against us, our country and our citizens are vulnerable and exposed. Our vision of low-carbon power goes far beyond climate mandates.
“Low carbon energy can play an important role in providing energy security to many countries around the world, which simply presents solutions to the problems of energy security that were not true 10 to 1 year ago,” he said.
Speaking to delegates in the afternoon, Kiel Starmer said the UK no longer wants to be exposed to volatility in the international fossil fuel market, highlighting that half of the UK’s recession since the 1970s was caused by the fossil fuel shock.
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He called for an urgent shift to homemade clean energy, not only to reduce emissions, but also to lower bills and drive growth.
“We’re stepping up. We’re making energy a source of strength rather than vulnerability,” Starmer said.
The risks of green energy
However, voices from the IEA and the US warned that while clean energy is essential, there is a unique set of risks to push to net zero.
IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol emphasized that oil and gas will remain “an important part of the energy mix” for the next few years. Emphasizing the recent supply shock after the war in Ukraine, Villor warned against overlooking the traditional energy security threat.
He also pointed to emerging vulnerabilities related to clean technologies, particularly relying on important minerals.
“Home Glow Energy is a close friend of energy security,” he said, but warned that without a diversified supply chain, Green Transition could expose the nation to new forms of instability.
Lancaster House’s Secretary of Energy Edriband to hold an international summit on the future of energy security in London on April 24, 2025. Justin Talis/PA
On behalf of Washington, Deputy Secretary for International Affairs, Tommy Joyce, warned of “net zero politics” to determine energy strategies at the expense of economic growth and security.
“Energy abundance brings prosperity for our people and peace abroad,” Joyce said, urging representatives not to impose restrictive funding policies on developing countries that strive for affordable energy access.
He also raised the importance of alerting about cyber threats, particularly from China, protecting critical infrastructure and preparing for potential disruptions.
“My hope is that we can shape the future of honest energy security about the world’s growing energy needs,” Joyce said, calling for a move towards a burdensome policy for solutions that ensure resilience and affordability.
Workers’ Green Agendas are facing scrutiny
This summit comes as the labour government accelerates its ambitious clean energy agenda.
The priorities reaffirmed plans to decarbonise the UK’s power grid by 2030 and were supported by a state-owned British energy company.
On Thursday, he announced £300 million in fast tracking funds for the offshore wind supply chain, calling on international investors to “build a clean energy future in the UK.”
However, concerns continue to grow with increasing dependence on China on solar technology.
So far, there has been little progress in the call to develop domestic solar manufacturing bases. Analysts suggest that China will be able to meet all global demand for solar modules by 2032.
UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, Fati Billol, representing family photos of civil society industry representatives and representatives at the International Summit on the Future of Energy Security at the Lancaster House, London on April 24, 2025. Toby Melville – WPA Pool/Getty Images
As US President, Trump defends the “energy control” policy and promotes the expansion of fossil fuels as the center of America’s prosperity and security.
Meanwhile, the President of the European Commission’s Ursula von der Leyen has welcomed the North Sea as a “powerhouse” of clean energy.
Speaking at the summit, she said: “The North Sea region is all about offshore winds, marine energy, hydrogen and carbon capture and storage.”
Von Der Leyen added that beyond natural resources, the region also provides regulatory certainty that investors need. This aims to strengthen the EU’s cooperation with the UK.
The London summit concluded on Friday, bringing in more than 60 government participants, including representatives from emerging economies such as the European Commission, the US, Japan and Brazil, India and Kenya, with major businesses such as BP, Shell, Total, Equiner, SSE, National Groove and Ibardro. International organizations, financial institutions such as HSBC and Barclays, and civil society groups are also present.
Despite its dominant role in global energy supply chains and important mineral production, it is China that is particularly lacking in consultation.
