Everything Energy

The automotive industry has faced major challenges in recent years, from pandemic-driven supply chain shocks to inflation and geopolitical uncertainty. But amid the turmoil, global sales of electric vehicles have continued to break records.  In 2024, more than one in five cars sold globally were electric, and this year it's expected to be one in four. In some parts of the world, EVs are now cheaper than conventional cars. But what's driving these trends? Who's making these cars? How are we charging them? And how is their uptake reshaping the world’s energy system?  In this episode, we speak with IEA Energy Technology and Transport Analyst Elizabeth Connelly to answer these questions and unpack the 2025 edition of the IEA's annual Global EV Outlook, out now.

Thomas Spencer and Siddharth Singh, lead authors of the IEA's report on Energy and AI, share their insights on the burgeoning relationship between artificial intelligence and energy consumption. They discuss how the demand for electricity from data centers will surge by 2030 and the dual nature of AI—while it can enhance energy efficiency, it also raises concerns about carbon emissions. They highlight the vital role of supply chains and renewable energy in shaping this dynamic, and how AI is transforming the very fabric of our energy systems.

This year, electricity generated from nuclear power is set to reach a record high. Dozens of nuclear reactors are currently under construction, and government support for the sector is at its highest level since the oil crisis in the 1970s. These trends point to a major global comeback for nuclear energy after a prolonged period of stagnation. In this episode, host Dan Hewitt is joined by Brent Wanner, the head of the IEA’s Power Sector Unit. Drawing on important findings from a recent IEA report, The Path to a New Era for Nuclear Energy, they discuss the factors driving nuclear energy’s renewed momentum. They also dig into the key challenges, such as project delays and cost overruns, that need to be overcome for it to play a more significant role in the future energy landscape.

It's abundant. It's clean. And it’s right beneath our feet. So why is geothermal energy often overlooked in the global energy conversation? Despite its massive potential, geothermal only meets about 1% of global electricity demand today. So, what’s holding it back? And could new technologies transform the way we think about geothermal energy and who can access it? Joining host Dan Hewitt to explore these questions are Heymi Bahar and Rebecca Schulz, senior analysts at the International Energy Agency and co-authors of the IEA’s latest report on the subject, The Future of Geothermal Energy.

What does the world of energy look like today? In this episode of the IEA’s Everything Energy podcast, which is back from an extended break, we delve into this topic, guided by a brand-new IEA report. The Global Energy Review 2025 is the first assessment of 2024 trends across the energy sector based on the latest data. It shows that growth in energy demand surged in 2024 to almost twice its recent average as the consumption of electricity rose around the world.  Why is this so significant? What fuels and technologies helped meet the increase in demand? And what has been the effect on global emissions? Host Dan Hewitt and Laura Cozzi, the IEA’s Director of Sustainability, Technology and Outlooks, discuss these questions and more.

In this episode of the podcast - our first for 2021 - we welcome Mechthild Wörsdörfer, Director Sustainability, Technology and Outlooks and Lucila Arboleya, Energy Economics and Financial Analyst at the IEA, to discuss key challenges and opportunities facing gender diversity in the energy sector - widely regarded as one of the least gender diverse parts of the economy.

In this episode of the podcast we welcome Brian Motherway, Head of Energy Efficiency back to the studio to reflect on the worrying trend in efficiency gains this year, as a result of the economic impacts of the Covid-19 crisis. Brian takes us through the importance of efficiency in sustainable, resilient recovery plans and clean energy transitions, and also talks to us about the IEA's relatively new focus on behavioural changes and energy efficiency.

In this episode of the podcast, Timur Guel, Head of the Energy Technology Policy division at the IEA talks to us about the importance of innovation and technology in clean energy transitions, as well as the challenges we face in the innovation cycle, to meet the ambitious climate goals being set by governments and companies around the world.

In this episode of the podcast we invited Heymi Bahar, lead author of Renewables 2020 and Senior Renewable Energy Analyst to talk about some of the key findings from this report. Heymi takes us through the story of solar and its rise to the top of electricity generation, the spectacular growth expected for wind, as well as the factors making certain renewable technologies so resilient in the current context of Covid-19. The report is available in full on our website, and for the first time, Renewables 2020 includes a dynamic data dashboard enabling users to explore historical data and forecasts for all sectors and technologies. http://iea.li/renewables20

In a special episode of Everything Energy we bring you a conversation between IEA Executive Director, Dr Fatih Birol, and European Commission Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans, recorded as part of our high-level speaker series Big Ideas. They discuss the way forward for the European Green Deal, as well as the rapid acceleration of climate policies around the world, hydrogen and a little football.