The International Energy Agency’s (IEA) World Energy Outlook (WEO) remains the definitive source of global energy analysis and projections. Released annually, it reflects the latest data, technological developments, market trends and government policy directions, providing a comprehensive assessment of the world’s evolving energy landscape. The report examines multiple potential pathways for the global energy system, assessing their implications for energy security, accessibility and emissions.
The WEO adopts a scenario-based approach to capture the choices, trade-offs and uncertainties shaping the sector’s future. It presents both exploratory scenarios based on current and announced policies, and normative scenarios that demonstrate what is required to achieve specific energy and climate objectives. Through this comparative framework, the report illustrates how the trajectory of the global energy system is influenced by policy decisions, investment patterns and technological change.
The 2025 edition comes at a time of significant transformation in global energy markets and heightened geopolitical tensions. Governments across the world are adopting divergent approaches to balance the competing goals of energy security, affordability and sustainability. This year’s WEO places particular emphasis on the security of supply of critical minerals, underscoring their growing importance in enabling the clean energy transition.