Power, Energy and International Cooperation

Founded in 1924 as the World Power Conference, the World Energy Council (WEC) was the first international organization to confront the global issues raised by fuel and power. From the age of empire through the Cold War to the present climate crisis, WEC has continued to serve as an international forum where the major challenges posed by energy have been debated and defined. WEC has evolved alongside historic changes in global energy demand and the mix of fuels, from coal and oil to nuclear and renewables. This book tells the story of WEC. It charts the growth of an international energy community in the course of these energy transitions and reveals the shifting meanings of energy and expertise. This history of WEC offers a vital insight into the social, cultural and political forces that have shaped energy in the contemporary world.