Infrastructure

Building and upgrading energy infrastructure is critical to bolster physical and digital security, power artificial intelligence, and enable secure, reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy systems. Geopolitical, financial, regulatory, technological, operational, and institutional infrastructure solutions across industry and policy can bolster national security, unlock economic prosperity, and increase geopolitical influence.

Recent analysis

Why are major economies choosing the same electricity sources?

Issue Brief Mar 3, 2026

Expanding transmission infrastructure to achieve low-cost, reliable, and abundant energy

By Ken Berlin, Frank Willey

With demand for electricity rising, the United States needs a long-term strategy to expand the power grid and improve energy reliability and affordability.
Energy & Environment Infrastructure
Why are major economies choosing the same electricity sources?

Issue Brief Oct 3, 2025

Dissolving the fence: Improving utility privatization for defense installations’ resiliency

By Benjamin Byboth, Ariel Coreth, Travis Nels

US bases depend on increasingly vulnerable electricity systems. Utility privatization offers a key tool to ensure military installations’ energy resilience.
Energy & Environment Infrastructure
Why are major economies choosing the same electricity sources?

Issue Brief Sep 17, 2025

Preparing US industry for a more competitive world

By David L. Goldwyn, Andrea Clabough

US companies must stay the course on decarbonization to ensure long-term global competitiveness—or risk being left behind as the world’s other major economies continue to prioritize sustainability.
Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

Programs

The Global Energy Center develops and promotes pragmatic and nonpartisan policy solutions designed to advance global energy security, enhance economic opportunity, and accelerate pathways to net-zero emissions.

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Events

Public Event Tue, March 17, 2026 • 9:30 am ET

Transmission 2026: Durable infrastructure and regulations for a new digital age

Grid operators, regulators, and experts gather for a conversation on innovative strategies for the buildout and operation of power grids to accommodate new generators and historic demand growth, including from AI workloads.
Energy & Environment Energy Transitions United States and Canada
Online Event Thu, March 20, 2025 • 3:00 am ET

Report launch: The role of nuclear energy in economic development

The Atlantic Council Global Energy Center hosts a virtual event to launch the report “Atoms for Appalachia: The role of nuclear energy in economic development.”

Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy
Online Event Fri, April 18, 2025 • 5:30 am ET

Banking on Belém: Mobilizing finance for energy and nature in the Global South

Ahead of COP30, experts discuss the role of loan guarantees in boosting private investment in clean energy, nature, and the climate in emerging economies.
Americas Climate Change & Climate Action Economy & Business Energy & Environment
Flagship Event Tue, June 17, 2025 • 5:00 am ET

2025 Global Energy Forum

The ninth Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum was held on June 17 and 18 in Washington, DC.
Africa Americas Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment
Public Event Tue, October 28, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

ABB’s Chairman Peter R. Voser on innovating for the electrified economy

Exploring how technology bridges energy supply-demand gaps while firms advance energy security, economic growth, and geopolitical objectives.
Artificial Intelligence Energy & Environment Energy Transitions United States and Canada
Public Event Thu, May 1, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

Underwater mayhem: Countering NATO energy & critical infrastructure threats

The Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center and Eurasia Center are co-hosting a hybrid discussion on the challenges of protecting NATO’s energy and critical infrastructure from physical sabotage perpetrated by Russia, centered around the launch of an insightful new report, “Underwater Mayhem: Countering Threats to Energy and Critical Infrastructure Across the NATO Alliance and Beyond”.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance Europe & Eurasia European Union
Public Event Tue, December 3, 2024 • 9:00 am ET

Transmission 2025: Prospects for reform in US grid permitting and planning

Experts discuss the policies, innovations, and investments that could drive the transmission buildout in 2025.
Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance Energy Transitions
Online Event Mon, June 12, 2023 • 4:30 am ET

Planning the energy transition: Global perspectives

Experts compare and analyze transmission planning strategies in the US, EU, Australia, and Canada and discuss how to improve the process around the world.
Australia Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance
Online Event Wed, May 24, 2023 • 9:30 am ET

Building for the transition: Transatlantic lessons in permitting reform

Experts critically examine EU and US permitting and discuss key actions and pathways for effective regulatory and legislative reform.
Americas Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia European Union

Content

EnergySource

Oct 6, 2025

Why are major economies choosing the same electricity sources?

By Joseph Webster and Hansika Nath

Despite major economies' differing development and resource levels, many are turning to the same energy sources to meet their new electric capacity needs.

Brazil China

Issue Brief

Oct 3, 2025

Dissolving the fence: Improving utility privatization for defense installations’ resiliency

By Benjamin Byboth, Ariel Coreth, Travis Nels

US bases depend on increasingly vulnerable electricity systems. Utility privatization offers a key tool to ensure military installations' energy resilience.

Energy & Environment Infrastructure

EnergySource

Sep 19, 2025

Is grid resilience possible in the hyperscale era?

By Andy Bochman

The US grid is deteriorating, and the risk for outages is high. The way toward resilience borrows from lessons learned the hard way.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

Issue Brief

Sep 17, 2025

Preparing US industry for a more competitive world

By David L. Goldwyn, Andrea Clabough

US companies must stay the course on decarbonization to ensure long-term global competitiveness—or risk being left behind as the world’s other major economies continue to prioritize sustainability.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

EnergySource

Aug 28, 2025

Overheated and underbuilt: How to fortify the US grid in the face of heat waves

By Frank Willey

As demand for electricity rises across the United States—and in the Mid-Atlantic in particular—to cool homes and power data center growth, so does its cost. Short- and long-term solutions can keep electricity both reliable and affordable.

Energy & Environment Infrastructure

EnergySource

Aug 14, 2025

US military readiness in the Pacific requires strengthening Guam’s power grid

By Emma Sampson

Guam’s energy system, already under strain, faces new operational demands. To ensure mission readiness, the Department of Defense must fortify Guam’s energy infrastructure against cyber, natural, and kinetic threats.

Energy & Environment English

Issue Brief

Jul 25, 2025

Transporting hydrogen: A global outlook on cross-border trade

By Joseph Webster

Hydrogen is crucial for many decarbonizing sectors, yet its transport over long distances causes a demanding problem. Focusing on regional transport should be the areas policymakers focus on.

China Energy & Environment

EnergySource

Jul 18, 2025

Ground-zero for the US AI energy challenge: A state-level case study

By Andrea Clabough

Virginia's AI data center boom could double the state's power demand within a decade, forcing residents' electricity bills higher. But with careful planning and partnerships, policymakers can balance energy, economic, and emissions goals.

Artificial Intelligence Energy & Environment

Report

Jun 23, 2025

Building electricity bridges: The critical role of high-voltage direct current lines

By Joseph Webster, Frank Willey

A report on the potential of long distance HVDC electric cables and their critical role in regional connectivity for a secure, affordable, and cleaner energy future.

Africa Central Asia
A LB Steel LLC's employee manufactures a component for new Amtrak Acela trains built in partnership with Alstom in Harvey, Illinois, U.S. December 4, 2019. REUTERS/Kamil Krzaczynski

Issue Brief

Jun 12, 2025

Building for tomorrow: Preparing US industry to compete in a lower-carbon global economy

By David L. Goldwyn, Andrea Clabough

The question for US policymakers is not whether to compete, but how.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance
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Experts

Fellow

Omran Al-Kuwari

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Infrastructure

Fellow

Lee Beck

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment

Staff

Reed Blakemore

Director, Research and Programs

Global Energy Center

Geopolitics & Energy Security Energy Transitions

Fellow

Neil Robert Brown

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy Markets & Governance Energy & Environment

Fellow

Benjamin Byboth

Veterans Advanced Energy Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Infrastructure

Fellow

Andrea Clabough

Nonresident Fellow

Global Energy Center

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment
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