Fatih Birol

Birol proposed raising electricity's share of global energy from 23% to 35% by 2035, arguing electrification boosts energy security and cuts emissions.

He outlined a proposed commitment to increase electricity’s share of global energy from 23% to 35% by 2035, with countries encouraged to sign on at the Antalya summit. Greater electrification would strengthen energy security while reducing emissions, he said, offering a common objective at a time of deep international divisions.

Birol says China's clean energy technology achievements are impressive and have accelerated the global energy transition.

China's achievements in clean energy technologies are impressive and have accelerated the global energy transition, Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Birol says widespread EV adoption is transforming autos and the global energy consumption structure, with profound future market impact.

The widespread adoption of EVs is not only fueling a transformation in the automotive industry but also changing the global energy consumption structure and will have a profound impact on the future energy market, he added.

Birol stressed that strategic oil stock releases can only cushion supply disruptions and are not a lasting solution.

However, he stressed that strategic stock releases could only cushion the impact of supply disruptions, rather than provide a lasting solution.

Birol identified post-war trends: fast renewables growth, rising EV sales, a modest rise in coal use, and renewed momentum for nuclear power.

He identified key trends emerging in the global energy sector since the outbreak of the war in the Middle East: rapid growth in renewable energy, rising EV sales, a modest increase in coal use, and renewed momentum behind nuclear power.

Birol said renewables' rapid expansion is driven by energy security and domestic production goals as well as climate concerns.

Birol pointed out that the rapid expansion of renewable energy was driven not only by climate and environmental concerns but also by energy security considerations and countries' efforts to increase domestic energy production.

Birol said China's EV boom, at about 60% of new car sales, is reshaping global energy consumption and will profoundly affect future energy markets.

Highlighting China's role in the global energy transition, Birol said that China's electric vehicle market is developing rapidly, with EVs now accounting for about 60 percent of new car sales in the country. The widespread adoption of EVs is not only fueling a transformation in the automotive industry but also changing the global energy consumption structure and will have a profound impact on the future energy market, he added.

Birol said the energy crisis will persist in some form in 2027, with no grounds to expect normalization next year.

International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol said that the energy crisis would continue in one form or another in 2027.

Birol proposed raising electricity's share of global energy consumption from 23% to 35% by 2035 to strengthen energy security and cut emissions.

Birol outlined a proposal to increase electricity’s share of global energy consumption from 23% to 35% by 2035. Countries are to be asked to support this commitment at the summit in Antalya.

Birol warned that the EU is heading into winter with historically low gas storage and may not withstand fresh supply disruptions.

International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol warned that the European Union is entering winter with historically low gas reserves and may not withstand new supply disruptions.

Birol expects LNG costs for European buyers to rise in coming months even if peace quickly returns to the Gulf.

He expects the cost of liquefied natural gas for European buyers to rise in the coming months even if peace returns quickly to the Persian Gulf.

Birol stressed that the global energy system has ever less spare capacity to absorb new shocks.

He stressed that the global energy system has increasingly little reserve capacity to respond to new shocks.

Birol said the timing and volume of the IEA's strategic stock releases will depend on individual member countries and winter market conditions.

On Oct. 20, IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said the timing and volume of releases would depend on individual member countries and winter market conditions.

Birol said he sees no credible path to normalisation of energy markets in 2027.

“I don’t see any credible pathway that 2027 will be a year of normalisation”, Birol was quoted as saying at an industry gathering in London.

Birol warned that the Strait of Hormuz, closed once, could be closed again.

“The Strait of Hormuz has been closed once, it can be closed again”, he said.

Birol argued crude prices understate the crisis since refined products like diesel have doubled in price.

“We don’t use crude oil, we use products”, he said, noting that diesel prices had doubled from pre-war levels, partly due to the conflict involving Iran and attacks on Russian refineries.

Birol said the market is on thin ice and he is very worried about supply tightness.

“We are on thin ice, and I am very worried about this”, Birol said.

Birol said IEA members are holding about 1.6 billion barrels of reserves and may release more if needed.

“We are keeping it for the rainy days”, he said.

Birol said he sees no credible path to normalisation of global energy markets in 2027.

I don’t see any credible pathway that 2027 will be a year of normalisation,

Birol warned that the Strait of Hormuz could be closed again, threatening global oil and gas supply.

The Strait of Hormuz has been closed once, it can be closed again,

Birol argued the crisis should be judged by refined product prices, with diesel doubled from pre-war levels due to the Iran conflict and attacks on Russian refineries.

We don’t use crude oil, we use products,

Birol said the market is on thin ice as seasonal diesel demand rises and major refineries go into maintenance.

We are on thin ice and I am very worried about this,

Birol said IEA members still hold about 1.6 billion barrels of reserves and may release more if needed.

We are keeping it for the rainy days,

Birol said the IEA is ready to release additional oil from member countries' emergency reserves if members decide to do so.

The International Energy Agency is ready to make additional releases of oil from the emergency reserves of member countries if they make the relevant decision.

Birol said the timing of the 20 million barrel diesel release depends on individual countries and winter market conditions, while the IEA is pushing to speed it up.

Birol noted that the timing of the release of 20 million barrels of diesel depends on individual states. According to him, the volumes and timing of supplies will be determined by countries' decisions and the situation on winter markets. The IEA is seeking to accelerate these deliveries.

Birol said he sees no credible path for the oil market to normalise in 2027 after the Gulf supply disruptions.

I personally don't see any credible pathway that 2027 will be a year of normalisation

Birol warned that if another crisis overlaps in the Middle East, governments could consider further options such as more reserve releases.

If there's an overlapping crisis in the Middle East, I cannot exclude that our governments will look at the other options,

Birol noted the 400 million barrel release is only 20 percent of available reserves, leaving room for more releases.

It's a big thing, 400 million barrels, but it's only 20 percent of the oil we have — 80 percent is in the pocket,

Birol lamented that the Mideast war has pushed climate change down the international policy agenda despite worsening extreme weather.

Climate change is sliding down in the international policy agenda despite the number, the frequency, and the intensity of extreme weather,

Birol said IEA member governments backed accelerating the emergency oil stock releases announced in March 2026 and completing them as soon as possible.

expressed support for accelerating the oil stock releases announced in the Collective Action of March 2026, with a view to completing them as soon as possible