Securing a resilient future

Redefining energy security in a volatile world

The global energy landscape is being reshaped by a confluence of climate change, geopolitical instability, and rapid technological transformation. As recent crises have shown, resilience is no longer a secondary consideration - it is now central to the security and sustainability of energy systems worldwide.

Convening leadership dialogues on resilience at the World Energy Congress 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is a powerful opportunity in a time of digital dislocation and geopolitical fragmentation. It is an essential moment for redefining energy resilience - not as backup plans and buffers, but as a shared capability:

• To adapt and transform in an era of inevitable disruptions
• To manage uncertainty with wisdom and experience, not just data
• To build trusted systems, not just technologies
• To deliver outcomes that people experience as reliability, dignity, and progress

Resilience: The new energy security priority

Recent crises have shown that energy security is no longer just about having a steady, affordable supply. The ability to withstand and recover from disruptions and shocks, including those driven by demand-side or customer-led factors is essential.

Europe’s decision to reduce reliance on Russian gas imports following the invasion of Ukraine exemplifies this shift, leading to repercussions on energy equity due to soaring prices, as well as on environmental sustainability with increased use of traditional energy sources like coal.

The massive blackout in the Iberian Peninsula and southern France showed that even the most extensive and integrated grids in the world are vulnerable.

Resilience means not only diversifying energy supply but also building systems that can absorb shocks - whether from geopolitics, extreme weather, or cyber threats - and adapt to new challenges as they arise.

The World Energy Trilemma: Navigating competing demands

The World Energy Trilemma framework - balancing energy security, equity, and environmental sustainability - offers a valuable lens for navigating today’s complex challenges. Recent shocks have shown that focusing too narrowly on one dimension, such as security, can undermine progress on others.

Resilience requires integrated strategies to manage these trade-offs, ensuring that energy systems are not only secure, but also affordable and environmentally sound.

Community and system-level resilience

Resilience extends beyond infrastructure to people and communities. Localised solutions such as community microgrids and decentralised renewables empower communities to maintain critical services during disruptions and recover more quickly. At the system level, strengthening supply chains for critical minerals, modernising grids, and investing in cybersecurity are all vital components of a resilient energy transition.

The growing role of renewables

Disruptions to traditional fossil fuel markets, exacerbated by geopolitical turmoil, has led to increased investment in renewable energies in many countries around the world. Renewables and energy efficiency are now recognised not only as sustainable solutions but as critical enablers of energy security and resilience. Distributed generation, such as solar, wind and microgrids, reduces reliance on centralised infrastructure and single points of failure, while the declining costs of these technologies make them increasingly accessible and attractive.

A diversified mix of renewables, complemented by storage and flexible demand management, can buffer against both natural and political disruptions. Emerging markets, in particular, face the dual challenge of scaling up investment in clean energy and integrating resilience into the planning of rapidly developing power systems.

Financing resilience: Turning adaptation into shared opportunity

To move resilience from aspiration to achievement and reality, there is an important role for innovative finance that treats adaptation as an investment in people and planet - not just an expense. At the heart of this shift are resilience bonds, blended‑finance partnerships and pay‑for‑performance contracts that align public, private and community interests. By anchoring capital to measurable adaptation outcomes, whether flood‑proof substations, nature‑based buffer zones or community‑owned microgrids, these instruments de‑risk projects and deliver returns in the form of reduced downtime, lower insurance costs and enhanced social license.

When approaching finance through the lens of humanising energy, funds go beyond simply progressing energy to strengthening local communities, safeguarding critical services and building a resilient, inclusive energy future that endures.

Geopolitical risks and the role of innovation

Geopolitical risks, while disruptive, can also act as catalysts for positive change. Research shows that crises often spur innovation and regulatory action, accelerating the shift to resilient, low-carbon energy systems. Strong environmental regulations and advances in green technology amplify this effect, helping countries not only weather immediate shocks but also build more robust systems for the future.

The role of leadership dialogues

Leadership dialogues are crucial for sharing lessons, aligning strategies, and fostering collaboration across borders and sectors. At World Energy Congress 2026, these dialogues will convene leaders from all facets of the global energy community to collaborate on:

• Empowering communities to participate in and benefit from resilient energy solutions.
• Integrating resilience into national and regional energy strategies, using frameworks like the World Energy Trilemma to balance competing priorities.
• Mobilising investment in clean energy, grid modernisation, and supply chain security.
• Promoting innovation and regulatory strategies that accelerate the adoption of resilient, low-carbon solutions.

Building a resilient, just, and sustainable energy future

The challenges of climate change, geopolitical instability, and technological disruption demand a new approach to energy security that puts resilience at its core. By convening visionary leadership dialogues and fostering systemic collaboration, World Energy Congress 2026 can help shape energy systems that are not only clean and sustainable, but also robust, inclusive, and prepared for the uncertainties of tomorrow.