Ongoing tensions in the Middle East are a reminder of how interconnected – and sometimes fragile – the global energy system remains. Strategic routes such as the Strait of Hormuz play a critical role in global oil flows, with around 20% of global oil consumption passing through it, and any disruption can quickly affect prices, supply chains and energy security worldwide.

These events point to a broader issue: the need to speed up the shift to cleaner energy while managing it carefully. Despite strong momentum in renewables, the global system remains heavily dependent on oil and gas. That is why I have chosen to invest in renewable energy – recognising both the scale of the challenge and the significant long-term opportunity to help build a more secure and resilient energy system.

A growing world needs more energy

Global energy demand continues to rise, driven by population growth, urbanisation and economic development. At the same time, renewables such as solar and wind are scaling rapidly and becoming increasingly cost-competitive.

This progress shows that a cleaner energy system is already taking shape. However, meeting rising demand reliably still requires a mix of energy sources during the transition.

Building reliability alongside renewables

A key challenge in this transition is reliability. Solar and wind are variable by nature, depending on weather conditions and time of day.

Advances in battery storage, grid interconnection and digital energy systems are steadily improving the reliability of renewable power. These technologies are playing a growing role in balancing supply and demand.

For now, oil and gas continue to provide dispatchable energy when renewable output is low. Over time, continued progress in storage, grid integration and demand management should reduce this reliance and support a more flexible, resilient system.

Where fossil fuels still play a role

Even as the energy system evolves, hydrocarbons remain important beyond power generation. They are used in producing fertilisers, plastics, medical equipment and components within renewable technologies.

Some sectors are also difficult to decarbonise. Aviation, shipping and heavy industry require high energy density fuels, and while alternatives such as hydrogen, biofuels and synthetic fuels are progressing, scaling them will take time and infrastructure.

Natural gas has helped reduce emissions in some regions by replacing higher-emitting fuels like coal. While not a long-term solution, it can support the transition as cleaner technologies expand.

At the same time, advances in recycling, material efficiency and low-carbon alternatives are gradually reducing dependence on hydrocarbons across these uses.

Investing in the transition

The shift to clean energy is accelerating, supported by growing public and private investment, improving economics and strong policy momentum. Renewables are attracting increasing capital, and many energy companies are expanding into low-carbon technologies.

At a national level, investment in domestic renewable capacity such as solar, wind and energy storage can also improve energy security by reducing exposure to geopolitical risks and supply disruptions, while supporting long-term competitiveness in the clean energy economy.

A managed transition remains essential. In some regions, economies still rely heavily on hydrocarbon revenues, and moving too quickly without viable alternatives could create instability. Gradual change allows time to build new industries, strengthen infrastructure and scale clean energy effectively.

This is not a simple replacement of one system with another, but a broader transformation – scaling renewables, expanding storage and grids, improving efficiency and supporting harder-to-decarbonise sectors while maintaining reliability. Encouragingly, this transition is already well underway.

Looking ahead

The strategic importance of routes like the Strait of Hormuz shows why energy resilience matters. Expanding renewable energy offers a clear path toward a more secure and diversified system. The direction is already set – the priority now is to accelerate this transition while keeping energy reliable, affordable and accessible, and reducing exposure to these kinds of shocks.

This is exactly why I have personally chosen to invest in this sector – not just for its long-term potential, but because building a more resilient, diversified energy system is both necessary and inevitable, and will help define the future of energy.