Columbia Energy Exchange

World Energy Outlook 2025: Navigating Divergent Futures

15 snips
Nov 18, 2025
Tim Gould, Chief Economist at the International Energy Agency, dives into the complexities of global energy markets. He discusses the impact of rising geopolitical tensions on energy security and the crucial role of electrification and renewables in shaping future scenarios. Tim outlines how electric mobility in regions like China is swinging oil demand in different directions and highlights the urgent need for policies that balance energy security with climate goals. He also explores the implications of a surge in LNG supply and the necessity of grid flexibility in the renewable transition.
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INSIGHT

Oil Investment Mostly Replaces Decline

  • Most upstream oil and gas investment replaces natural decline rather than funds new production.
  • Historically about 90% of annual upstream spending keeps output flat, not to expand supply.
INSIGHT

Solar Costs May Stabilize, Not Spike

  • Solar panel manufacturing is currently oversupplied and some producers lose money, so panel costs might rise slightly.
  • Overall solar project costs should continue declining, keeping solar competitive despite component cost shifts.
INSIGHT

Policy Changes Dramatically Alter Deployment

  • Policy shifts like removing US tax incentives materially reduce renewable deployment projections.
  • The IEA sees about 30% less US renewables in 2035 in this year's STEPS versus last year's due to policy rollbacks.
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