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

To win the AI race, the US needs an all-of-the-above energy strategy

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
To win the AI race, the US needs an all-of-the-above energy strategy

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
To win the AI race, the US needs an all-of-the-above energy strategy

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

Issue Brief

Mar 21, 2025

To win the AI race, the US needs an all-of-the-above energy strategy

By Joseph Webster

To ensure US AI leadership, the United States must harness all forms of energy, allow a level playing field, and remove red tape constraining the buildout of critical enablers, especially transmission lines and grid enhancing technologies.

Artificial Intelligence China

New Atlanticist

Mar 11, 2025

Mexico’s new electricity law could boost the country’s energy sector. But big questions remain.

By David L. Goldwyn and César Emiliano Hernández Ochoa

President Claudia Sheinbaum is taking a practical, technocratic approach to Mexico’s longstanding underinvestment in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution. But there are several ways that her current plans could fall short.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

New Atlanticist

Mar 3, 2025

Tariffs on Mexico could threaten Texas’s electricity reliability

By David L. Goldwyn, Joseph Webster

Tariffs on transformers and other electrical components will make it considerably harder for the United States to achieve energy dominance and could prove costly for Texas.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Global Energy Agenda

Feb 20, 2025

Ushering the US auto industry into a new energy era

By Jim Farley

The auto industry is front and center at the intersection of energy, manufacturing, and innovation. For US automakers to continue leading the sector globally, they must work with policymakers to put the choices and needs of the customer first.

Americas Energy & Environment

Global Energy Agenda

Feb 20, 2025

The US must assure its energy-secure future

By Meredith Berger

At the US Department of the Navy, energy security is mission assurance. This reality has led to its national security strategy to prioritize a diversified, resilient, and independent energy system to prepare for known and unknown threats.

Americas Energy & Environment

Global Energy Agenda

Feb 20, 2025

The importance of US LNG for economic growth and the global energy transition 

By Daniel Yergin and Madeline Jowdy

The emergence of US liquefied natural gas (LNG) is a remarkable story. In less than a decade, the United States has gone from zero exports to being the world’s largest exporter.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

Global Energy Agenda

Feb 20, 2025

Latin America and the Caribbean: Leading the green energy transition amid climate challenges

By Andrés Rebolledo Smitmans

By tapping into a wealth of solar, wind, and water resources, Latin America and the Caribbean are progressing toward decarbonization while addressing poverty and inequality. Collective action across these regions is essential for accelerating progress and achieving a sustainable and equitable energy system.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

Global Energy Agenda

Feb 20, 2025

Busting the top myths about AI and energy efficiency 

By Josh Parker

The rapid growth in AI and data centers in recent years has fueled concern that these systems will push the world toward an energy crisis. Advancements in this sector, however, should put this concern to rest.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

Issue Brief

Feb 19, 2025

Unlocking America’s untapped energy potential through enhanced geothermal systems

By Chase Thalheimer, Reed Blakemore

Enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) offer a promising clean energy solution by overcoming geographical and cost barriers, providing emissions-free, reliable power while supporting US decarbonization and energy security efforts, but widespread adoption requires government support, investment, and streamlined regulations.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

Issue Brief

Nov 4, 2024

Reducing US industrial emissions under budgetary uncertainty

By David L. Goldwyn, Andrea Clabough

The pathway to deep decarbonization remains unclear for "hard to abate" sectors in the United States. By addressing three key challenges, US industry can decarbonize despite financial constraints and political uncertainty.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance
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Experts

Fellow

Ben Hertz-Shargel

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy Markets & Governance Energy & Environment

Fellow

Lyndsey Merrill Feinberg

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Middle East Programs

Global Energy Center Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Artificial Intelligence Digital Policy

Fellow

Travis Nels

Veterans Advanced Energy Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Infrastructure

Fellow

Julia Nesheiwat

Distinguished Fellow

Global Energy Center

Arabic English

Fellow

Amy Roma

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Infrastructure

Fellow

David Sandalow

Distinguished Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy Markets & Governance Geopolitics & Energy Security
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