Fatih Birol: Global Energy Under Pressure, Europe's Mistakes and the Age of Electricity

Fatih Birol: Global Energy Under Pressure, Europe's Mistakes and the Age of Electricity

From In Good Company with Nicolai Tangen by Norges Bank Investment Management

April 1, 2026 · 48 min · Season 1 · Episode 237

About this episode

Nicolai Tangen discusses global energy security and Europe's energy mistakes with Dr. Fatih Birol.

Is the world facing the greatest energy security threat in history? Nicolai Tangen sits down with Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), for a timely and urgent conversation about global energy. They discuss why the Middle East crisis surpasses all previous energy shocks combined, what the release of 400 million barrels of strategic reserves can and cannot achieve, and Europe's three historic energy mistakes, from over-reliance on Russian gas to stepping back from nuclear power. Fatih also shares his conviction that the future of transportation is electric and why cheap electricity will determine who wins the AI race. In Good Company is hosted by Nicolai Tangen, CEO of Norges Bank Investment Management. New full episodes every Wednesday, and don't miss our Highlight episodes every Friday.    The production team for this episode includes Isabelle Karlsson and PLAN-B's Niklas Figenschau Johansen, Sebastian Langvik-Hansen and Pål Huuse. Background research was conducted by Tobias Hyldmo and David Høysæther.   Watch the episode on YouTube:  Norges Bank Investment Management - YouTube Want to learn more about the…

People in this episode

Host: Nicolai Tangen

Guest: Dr. Fatih Birol

Topics covered

  • energy security
  • global energy
  • electric transportation
  • European energy mistakes
  • Middle East crisis
  • nuclear power

Keywords

  • energy security
  • electricity
  • Middle East crisis
  • European energy mistakes
  • nuclear power
  • AI race
  • strategic reserves

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: International Energy Agency, Norges Bank Investment Management

Products: electric transportation

Places: Middle East, Europe

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