US and Europe set for clash on what “energy security” means

At a high-profile summit in London, Trump administration officials are set to clash with European politicians and experts over differing ideas about energy security. Europe, responding to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that led to a spike in gas prices, is focusing on renewable energy sources and decreasing its reliance on other countries for energy. The region has started substituting some Russian gas with increased shipments of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States, a move supported by President Donald Trump and American fossil fuel producers. The Summit on the Future of Energy Security, hosted by the UK government and the International Energy Agency (IEA), is where the confrontation is expected to take place.

The two-day summit will be attended by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, Tommy Joyce from the US Department of Energy, and representatives from around 60 governments. Key topics on the agenda include energy access, climate security, the future of oil and gas markets, and clean energy supply chains.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed the importance of renewables during an online meeting with 17 world leaders, stating that they offer the most reliable path to energy sovereignty, security, and independence from costly fossil fuel imports. European leaders and the IEA share this viewpoint, recognizing that renewable resources like sunlight and wind are more evenly distributed globally compared to traditional energy sources like coal, oil, and gas.

While some equipment for generating renewable energy must be imported, experts point out that relying on solar panels from major producers like China is a one-time risk, unlike the continuous risks and costs associated with fossil fuel imports. The US representative, Tommy Joyce, is expected to challenge the idea that renewables ensure energy security, favoring liquefied natural gas exports instead. Joyce has emphasized the importance of not sacrificing economic and security interests for global climate agreements.