Rising electricity demand from artificial intelligence, data centres and industrial electrification is putting new pressure on the global energy system, according to the World Energy Council’s 2026 World Energy Trilemma report.
The report says geopolitical instability and infrastructure constraints are complicating efforts to balance energy security, affordability and decarbonisation.
More than 275 senior energy leaders from 65 countries contributed to the research and grids, energy storage and system integration were all identified as the most common barriers to progress.
Dr Angela Wilkinson, CEO of the World Energy Council, said: “Integration and interoperability are now critical: connecting the parts of each system and enabling different systems and pathways to work together. Leadership means continuously rebalancing security, affordability and sustainability while keeping sight of what energy is ultimately for—better lives and stronger economies.”
The report argues that the energy transition is increasingly moving beyond simply adding new generation. Greater integration between generation, grids, storage, flexible demand, markets and institutions will be needed to manage growing electricity consumption and connect renewable power to consumers.
The pressures vary between regions. Around 600 million people in Africa remain without access to electricity, highlighting the need for investment in generation, transmission and delivery systems.
In Brazil, where around 90% of electricity generation is renewable, rising curtailment demonstrates the challenges of integrating increasing volumes of clean power.
The report identifies five key tensions, including managing current energy costs while investing for the future and maintaining the pace of transition while securing public support.
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