World Energy Council (WEC)

What is the WEC About?

The World Energy Council (WEC) headquartered in London, UK is well known on the global energy scene for its authoritative reports, analyses, research, case studies, medium and long-term energy projections, and policy and strategy recommendations. Established in 1923, the WEC also offers a wide variety of services, programmes, and activities to its members as well as to the energy industry at large and to the public. 

The main objective of the WEC is to promote the sustainable supply and safe use of energy for the greatest benefit of all people by doing the following:

• Collating data about and undertaking and promoting research into the means of supplying and using energy having, short & long term, the greatest social benefit and the least harmful impact on the natural environment and publishing or otherwise disseminating the useful results of such research.
• Undertaking actions, including but not limited to the holding of Congresses, workshops and seminars, to facilitate such supply and use of energy.
• Collaborating with other organisations in the energy sector with compatible goals.

The WEC's congresses, meetings and seminars involve the planning for and responding to the dynamics of the energy market.  Attendance at these meetings serves as a forum to discuss world energy issues in regards to energy efficiency, renewable energy technologies & their applications as well as energy interaction among neighbouring countries. 

What has WEC been doing recently?

The EA is the ultimate authority in the governance of WEC as provided in the Articles of Association and acts to manage the affairs of WEC and carry its policies into effect. The EA is authorised to:

• Issue general policy statements
• Approve applications for membership
• Withdraw membership
• Approve sites for Congresses and Executive Assemblies
• Approve WEC's operations budget and business plan
• Approve the plan and budget for WEC's programme of work
• Establish standing committees to carry out the programme of work
• Elect the officers of WEC
• Approve honorary officers

Trinidad and Tobago attended the last Executive Assembly Meeting held in Mexico in November 2008.  One of the agenda's main items at the EA meeting was the election to decide the site for the 22^nd World Energy Congress in 2013. The countries up for selection to host the 22^nd World Energy Congress 2013 were Denmark, Korea (Rep) and South Africa. T&T's vote went to Korea (Rep) who eventually won the bid and will host the World Energy Congress in the south-eastern city of Daegu. 

What are the benefits for Trinidad and Tobago being a member of the WEC?

Trinidad and Tobago joined the WEC since 1959 and has been a longstanding financial member ever since. Members of the WEC are entitled to a number of benefits which include:

Participation in various workshops and meetings such as WEC's Executive Assembly held in the third quarter of every year. Trinidad and Tobago have the right to access all information in EA affairs as well as the right to vote at meetings.

Access to authoritative reports, statistical data, analyses, research, case studies, medium and long-term energy projections, and policy and strategy recommendations.

The WEC focuses on various aspects of the Energy Industry, including Market Restructuring, Energy Efficiency, Energy & the Environment, Financing Energy Systems, Energy Pricing & Subsidies, Energy Poverty, Ethics, Benchmarking & Standards, Technology and Energy issues in developed and transitional developing countries. Therefore, it is evident that TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO has the opportunity to gain knowledge on every aspect of the Energy Industry through its membership in the WEC.

Upcoming Events

The World Energy Council's governing body, the Executive Assembly, meets annually in the third quarter of the year. In 2009, the Executive Assembly will meet in Reykjavik, Iceland from the 16th to the 19th of September.

FT - WEC ENERGY LEADERS SUMMIT will be held at the Millennium Hotel London Mayfair, London from October 13-14 2009.  The Road to Copenhagen -Energy and Finance Solutions for a Post 2012 World at the

World Energy Congress 2010 will be held in Montreal, Québec (Canada), in September 2010, and is more than ever committed to working toward responsible growth that reconciles economic development, environmental protection, and the reduction of global inequalities. It brings together more than 2500 top world leaders in the field of energy, coming from industry, governments, and international organizations, as well as the media, universities and energy industry associations.