Coalition of the willing for renewables
The world is once again facing an uncertain future as multiple conflicts continue to unfold. In my March/April 2022 note, titled ‘How many wake-up calls does the world need?’, I reflected on the energy crisis at the time. As events stand today, it appears that more wake-up calls are needed, as the world finds itself in a similar situation. Oil and gas prices are rising sharply and it remains unclear when, or whether, they will return to more stable levels.
Members of the International Energy Agency have announced plans to release a record 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves. As part of this, the US Department of Energy has stated that the USA will release 172 million barrels from its strategic petroleum reserve, while other countries have announced similar steps. However, these announcements have so far had little calming effect on the market.
The planned largest release of emergency oil reserves in history is seen as a signal that energy markets are preparing for a potentially prolonged conflict in the Middle East. Oil traders have indicated that the measure is unlikely to offset the supply shock caused by the conflict and by disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. It also represents a short-term response, while longer-term solutions remain necessary.
A recent report titled ‘Autonomous and Secure: How the Netherlands Can Strengthen its Energy Position’, published by Topsector Energie and Energy Innovation NL in March 2026, highlights a number of measures aimed at improving energy resilience. Although the report focuses on the situation in the Netherlands, many of its recommendations are relevant more broadly.
The report emphasises the need to reduce structural vulnerabilities, such as dependence on imported energy, in order to limit political pressure and external influence on policy. It also calls for investment in training large numbers of technical specialists for the energy sector, ranging from installation technicians to programmers and digital security experts.
Other recommendations include combining sufficiently high fuel taxes with structural incentives for electric road transport and bringing the production of sustainable energy technologies back to the European Union. Within this manufacturing base, the report suggests prioritising technologies, such as sodium-based batteries, that reduce reliance on rare earth materials.
Accelerating the energy transition is considered essential, particularly in a period when energy import dependence remains a key vulnerability. The report also highlights the need to expand electricity grid capacity while involving broader energy expertise and considering more decentralised systems. These could include well-integrated local direct current networks, as well as hydrogen pipelines alongside high-capacity electricity connections for large-scale energy transport.
In addition, the report points to the importance of developing a capacity market. To cope with disruptions, attacks or partial failures in energy supply systems, redundancy should be a guiding principle. This implies maintaining reserve generation capacity and recognising that new energy infrastructure often requires long development times.
At the same time, the Global Renewables Alliance has launched a five-step Renewables Action Plan, calling on governments to accelerate renewable energy deployment in response to renewed global energy price shocks. The plan identifies five priority actions: fast-tracking permitting, removing grid and storage bottlenecks, mobilising financing, accelerating electrification, and scaling renewable supply chains.
Perhaps recent events will be the wake-up call that the world needs. Renewable energy is already a mainstream investment, driving innovation and economic growth. Let’s form a global coalition of the willing for renewables to join countries together to accelerate the transition and move towards greater energy independence.
Enjoy reading,
Floris Siteur
Publisher
