Annual Electricity Security Advisory Board meeting

Convened annually by the IEA, the Electricity Security Advisory Board (ESAB) provides a platform for dialogue with experts from academia and the electricity industry on emerging electricity security risks and on the development of effective policies for the rapidly evolving electricity sector. It facilitates valuable exchanges on common challenges and lessons learned from diverse global experiences. The ESAB complements the Electricity Security Task Force (ESTF), established in December 2024, which provides a forum for policymakers from IEA Member countries to discuss electricity security matters. The Electricity Systems and Markets Division of the IEA serves as the Secretariat for both the ESAB and the ESTF, and the insights shared during ESAB discussions directly inform subsequent ESTF deliberations and IEA analysis.

Following the 2026 IEA Ministerial High-Level Dialogue on Energy Security in the Age of Electricity, and in the context of continued affordability pressures created by the current energy crisis, the IEA is convening its annual edition of the ESAB on 7 October 2026 in Paris. The meeting will bring together leading experts from industry, utilities, academia, and think tanks to review and discuss the IEA’s current power sector work, with the aim of identifying emerging trends and solutions. The overarching question guiding this year’s ESAB is: How do we ensure a secure and affordable electricity system in the Age of Electricity by making better use of infrastructure, system operations, markets and investment?

Format: The meeting will be informal and conducted under the Chatham House Rule. It will be held in person only. Each panel session will be introduced by invited speakers, followed by a roundtable discussion. Attendance is by invitation only.