Under the motto "Securing Energy. Advancing Society," the BMW Foundation initiated an engaging discussion highlighting new approaches and solutions to the future issue of energy security during the 61st Munich Security Conference (13-15 February 2025). Here is an overview of the highlights at this year's Energy Security Hub @BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt Pavilion.
Key Speakers
At the 2025 Energy Security Hub, leading scientists, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers gathered to discuss one of the most pressing questions of our time: How can Europe accelerate development of affordable, low-carbon energy and achieve energy independence faster?Among them were:
- Fatih BIROL, Executive Director, International Energy Agency (IEA)
- Leonhard BIRNBAUM, CEO, E.ON, Germany
- Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification, European Commission
- Joe KAESER, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Siemens Energy AG; Chairman of the Advisory Council, Munich Security Conference
- Vitali KLITSCHKO, Mayor of Kyiv, Ukraine
- Jennifer MORGAN, Former State Secretary and Special Envoy for International Climate Action, German Federal Foreign Office
- Hina RABBANI KHAR, Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, Pakistan People's Party, National Assembly of Pakistan; former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
- Jessika ROSWALL, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy
- Aura SALLA, Member of the Committee on Industry, Technology and Research, EPP Parliamentary Group, European Parliament
- Michiel SCHEFFER, President, European Innovation Council
- Laurence TUBIANA, CEO, European Climate Foundation.
Jessika Roswall, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy
Aura Salla, Member of the Committee on Industry, Technology and Research, EPP Parliamentary Group, European Parliament
Fatih Birol, Executive Director, International Energy Agency
Hina Rabbani Khar, Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, Pakistan People's Party, National Assembly of Pakistan; former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Valdis Dombrovskis, Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification, European Commission
"In the next ten years, even under conservative estimates, global electricity demand will grow to six times the current total demand.”
Executive Director, International Energy Agency (IEA)
Watch a recap of the Energy Security Hub
Key Sessions
Over the three days, 677 invited guests from 50 different countries engaged in a deep dive on energy security, featuring 5 keynote speeches and 19 expert panel discussions. The latter covered topics such as making clean energy both secure and affordable, advances in energy storage and grid expansion, building resilient supply chains for critical raw materials, and how Europe can translate technological leadership into economic competitiveness.Among some of the main sessions were:
- "Balancing Innovation and Security in the European Energy Transition"
- "Modern Economic Resilience: AI, Geopolitics, and Energy Sovereignty"
- "Straight Road, Steep Slope? Shaping the Future of Industrial Strategies"
- "North-South Interdependence: Crafting Win-Win Partnerships for Energy Security"
- "Transatlantic Energy Security Relations: Cooperation in Times of Crisis."
Key Takeaways
- Strength through unity
National solo efforts are hampering Europe's climate-neutral energy potential. Cross-border cooperation is needed. - No energy security without cybersecurity
Renewable energy requires the expansion and digitalisation of resilient grids. Protection against cyber-attacks is essential. - Bridging the market gap
Europe's innovations often fail because of a lack of finance to scale up. Too often, capital flows abroad. - Without a strategy, Europe will be left behind
A common energy framework and public investment are needed to attract investors and ensure progress. - Protect democracy
Affordable energy stabilises societies. Acceptance of the energy transition must be strengthened to counter populist narratives.