| Map: | Membership WorldEnergyCouncil.png |
| Type: | Charity |
| Status: | Foundation |
| Purpose: | Energy issues |
| Headquarters: | London, United Kingdom |
| Leader Title: | Chair |
| Leader Name: | Michael Howard |
| Main Organ: | World Energy Congress |
| Affiliations: | WEC Foundation WEC Services Limited |
| World Energy Council | |
| Region Served: | Global |
| Membership: | Member Committees in 92 countries + 2 direct members |
| General: | Angela Wilkinson |
| Former Name: | World Power Conference World Energy Conference |
The World Energy Council is a global forum for thought-leadership and tangible engagement with headquarters in London. Its mission is 'To promote the sustainable supply and use of energy for the greatest benefit of all people'.
The idea for the foundation of the Council came from Daniel Nicol Dunlop in the 1920s. He wanted to gather experts from all around the world to discuss current and future energy issues. He organised in 1923 first national committees, which organised the first World Power Conference (WPC) in 1924. 1,700 experts from 40 countries met in London to discuss energy issues. The meeting was a success and the participants decided on 11 July 1924 to establish a permanent organisation named World Power Conference. Dunlop was elected as its first Secretary General.[1] In 1968 the name was changed to World Energy Conference, and in 1989 it became the World Energy Council.[2]
The World Energy Council is the principal impartial network of leaders and practitioners promoting an affordable, stable and environmentally sensitive energy system for the greatest benefit of all. Formed in 1923, the Council is the UN-accredited[3] global energy body, representing the entire energy spectrum, with more than 3,000 member organisations located in over 90 countries and drawn from governments, private and state corporations, academia, NGOs and energy-related stakeholders. The World Energy Council informs global, regional and national energy strategies by hosting high-level events, publishing authoritative studies, and working through its extensive member network to facilitate the world’s energy policy dialogue. Today, the Council has Member Committees established in over 90 countries, which represent over 3,000 member organizations including governments, industry and expert institutions. The World Energy Council covers all energy resources and technologies of energy supply and demand.[4] The World Energy Council hosts the World Energy Congress, which is the world's largest and most influential energy event covering all aspects of the energy agenda. Staged every three years, the Congress provides a platform for energy leaders and experts in all aspects of the sector to address the challenges and opportunities facing suppliers and consumers of energy. The 2019 edition took place in Abu Dhabi from 9–12 September, where it was announced that Saint Petersburg will be the host city for the next World Energy Congress in 2022.[5]
The World Energy Council's publications include annual releases like the World Energy Trilemma Index, which compares Energy security, equity and environmental sustainability on a country-by-country basis[6] (also available as an online tool[7]), as well as Insights Briefs on current energy topics such as Blockchain.[8]
As of March 2019 the World Energy Council has 87 member committees and 2 countries which have direct membership. Organisations in countries where the World Energy Council does not yet have an active member committee can join the Council under a direct membership.[9] [10]