Electrifying Progress 

Advancing the next era of energy through smart electrification 

Today, electricity represents some 20 percent of global energy consumption. It also stands at the forefront of global energy transitions, offering a transformative pathway to decarbonise industries, power economies, and improve quality of life. As extreme weather events become commonplace and global demands for energy grow, the imperative to accelerate electrification - while ensuring resilience, integration, and inclusivity - has never been clearer. 

Electrification will underpin many of the energy leadership discussions throughout World Energy Congress 2026, engaging energy leaders and experts from across the globe in the World Energy Council's signature style of open, inclusive and intergenerational leadership dialogue. 

As we look toward those critical discussions, we explore a few of the latest advancements, as well as the complex challenges of scaling electrification, and the critical role of leadership dialogues in shaping a robust, sustainable energy future. 

The electrification imperative 

Global electricity demand continues to rise, driven by economic growth, digitalisation, and the electrification of transport, buildings, and industry. Underpinned by ambitious climate commitments, renewables are expected to provide more than one-third of total electricity generation globally in 2025, overtaking coal for the first time. 

Just as data centres rapidly increase their electricity demands to support the rise and implementation of artificial intelligence systems, mining operations are transitioning to electric-powered equipment to support low-carbon supply chains for critical minerals. And innovative agricultural practices are emerging, focused on harnessing electric tractors, irrigation systems, and even the implementation of drones to support environmentally sustainable food production. 

Electrification is a cornerstone of net-zero strategies, meeting more of the rapidly increasing global demand for energy with clean, sustainable power and offering the most direct and efficient route to decarbonisation for many sectors. 

However, to realise its full potential, the world must address the challenges of integrating variable renewables, expanding and modernising grid infrastructure, and ensuring progress isn’t made at the expense of affordability or inclusivity.  

Societal transformation and workforce transitions 

The electrification revolution is more than a technical challenge; it’s a societal transformation. As industries adapt, new jobs will be created in renewable energy, energy management, and digital service sectors. Robust reskilling and upskilling programs are needed to support impacted workforces and ensure that this transition empowers, and not excludes, communities.  

Policies that emphasise just transitions, workforce readiness, and inclusivity are essential to making sure no one is left behind on the path to net zero and beyond. 

Smart grids and integration of renewables 

The rise of weather-dependent renewables like solar and wind introduces new complexities for power systems. Smart grid technologies - leveraging AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced power electronics - are essential for real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and the optimised management of increasingly decentralised energy systems. 

Decentralised, digitalised grids can significantly improve resilience, efficiency, and consumer empowerment. These systems enable bidirectional power flows, allowing consumers to become “prosumers” who both use and generate electricity, and support the integration of distributed energy resources, electric vehicles, and storage solutions.  

Integration with other energy carriers and sector coupling 

Electrification does not happen in isolation, but in concert with the broader energy ecosystem. Increasingly the practice of sector coupling - integrating electricity with clean hydrogen production, district heating, and synthetic fuels – will be critical in enhancing system flexibility and addressing hard-to-abate sectors.  

Expanding and modernising grid infrastructure 

A robust and flexible grid forms the backbone of electrification - and is the top action priority of leaders across the energy ecosystem (World Energy Issues Monitor 2025). Yet today many transmission networks require urgent modernisation.  

Recent blackouts across Spain and Portugal, and separately in Chile - which shut down public transport, telecoms, and major infrastructure including airports - provide very real examples of the vulnerabilities of countries’ dependence on struggling power grids as they electrify their economies. 

Extreme weather events are also testing the resilience of electricity networks. Utilities worldwide are prioritising infrastructure upgrades to withstand storms, wildfires, and floods, so that when these events do happen, they’re able to restore power quickly and minimise disruptions to millions of customers. 

Bright spots can be seen through examples like the rapid grid expansion in China, where the State Grid Corporation of China deployed ultra-high voltage AC/DC lines that have connected remote solar and wind resources to coastal demand centres - a feat unmatched in speed and scale globally. The project has been a major contributor to China’s record breaking renewable-energy deployment and robust electrification, while at the same time making energy more affordable. (Note: State Grid Corporation of China is a Patron of the World Energy Council). 

Affordability and innovative business models 

For electrification to deliver on its promise, it must be accessible and affordable for all. Innovative business models are emerging to solve this challenge. Pay-as-you-go solar and microgrid solutions provide affordable access to electricity for off-grid and rural communities, often financed through mobile payments.  

Government programs such as those subsidising energy efficiency upgrades are reducing household costs while reducing emissions at the consumer level. Blending market incentives, targeted subsidies, and digital business models can help scale electrification without worsening inequalities. 

Cross-border and regional collaboration 

Energy transitions are increasingly regional and transnational. Cross-border projects are accelerating the digitisation and integration of distribution grids, supporting sector coupling and e-mobility, often reducing system costs and enhancing flexibility. 

These collaborative projects highlight the importance of harmonised standards, joint investment, and shared governance in building resilient, interconnected energy systems for the greater benefit of communities. 

Innovation in power electronics and storage 

Advancements in power electronics are enhancing the efficiency, reliability, and scalability of renewable integration as well as consumer-level solutions like electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Battery storage, pumped hydro, and emerging technologies are providing the flexibility needed to balance supply and demand, further enabling the shift to a fully electrified, renewable-powered grid. 

Spotlight on Saudi Arabia’s electrification leadership 

World Energy Congress 2026 host Saudi Arabia is emerging as a global leader in electrification and renewable energy integration, advancing a suite of ambitious initiatives that underscore the Kingdom’s commitment to a sustainable energy future: 

• Targeting 50% renewable energy by 2030: Saudi Arabia has set a bold target to generate 50% of its power from renewable sources by 2030, significantly reducing reliance on traditional fossil fuels and championing a low-carbon energy mix. 

• Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) drive: The Saudi Electricity Company aims to substitute a substantial portion of liquid fuels in power generation with renewables by 2030, further contributing to climate goals and energy diversification. 

• National manufacturing initiatives: The Kingdom is investing heavily in building domestic manufacturing capacity for renewable energy components, supporting local industry, supply chains, and job creation in alignment with Vision 2030. 

• Iconic smart city projects: Pioneering smart cities like NEOM are designed to operate entirely on renewable energy and sustainable principles, positioning Saudi Arabia at the forefront of urban innovation and climate leadership. 

• Red Sea project smart grid: Saudi Arabia hosts the world’s largest smart grid initiative within the Red Sea Project. In partnership with Huawei, this project features a 1.3GWh battery storage system, integrating clean energy at unprecedented scale to power regenerative tourism and development. 

These strategic advancements place Saudi Arabia at the centre of regional and international efforts to achieve energy security, resilience, and sustainable growth, demonstrating what is possible through ambitious national vision, cross-sector collaboration, and a relentless focus on innovation. 

The role of leadership dialogues 

To harness the full potential of electrification, World Energy Congress 2026 will convene leadership dialogues that bring together policymakers, utilities, technology providers, investors, and communities to discuss and deliver actionable solutions. 

As the issues surrounding electrification evolve, many of these open, inclusive and intergenerational leadership dialogues will focus on: 

• Accelerating investment in grid modernisation and smart infrastructure. 

• Developing regulatory frameworks that support innovation, integration, and consumer participation. 

• Sharing best practices for resilience, digitalisation, and cross-border cooperation. 

• Ensuring equitable access to clean, reliable, and affordable electricity for all. 

• Supporting workforce transition and just, inclusive energy transitions globally. 

Powering the future together 

 By advancing smart, integrated, and resilient energy systems - across every sector, region, and community - we can deliver on the promise of a cleaner, more inclusive, and more prosperous future. World Energy Congress 2026 is the platform to convene the dialogues, forge the partnerships, and set the course for electrifying progress worldwide.