The Age of Electricity. What World Energy Outlook 2025 Means for UK Businesses
Every year the World Energy Outlook lands with a thud; it's not light reading. It’s a sober snapshot of where global energy is heading and what that means for governments, suppliers and businesses trying to make sense of rising costs.
This year’s edition paints a picture that is both challenging and full of opportunity. For UK organisations, it offers a clear signal. The next decade will reward those who prepare early and penalise those who treat energy as a background task.
As a broker and consultancy working with businesses across the UK, Resolve has been reading between the lines for our clients. WEO 2025 confirms what we have already seen in the market. The world has entered what the International Energy Agency (IEA) calls the age of electricity. Demand is rising rapidly. Competition for supply and infrastructure is intensifying. Security and affordability are the real battlegrounds.
Below is what matters most to UK businesses.
Electricity demand is about to surge
The report highlights a global acceleration in electricity use driven by electric vehicles, heat pumps, cooling and the growth of data centres powering AI and digital operations. This shift is happening now. For the UK, where grid constraints already affect many regions, the message is simple. Businesses must plan early for their own electrification strategies.
This includes fleet transitions, low carbon heating, on site generation and smarter management of consumption. At Resolve we are supporting clients who want practical pathways into electrification while keeping running costs under control.
Fossil demand is still rising under current policies
One of the most important insights from WEO 2025 is that under existing policies, oil and gas demand continues growing into 2050. This matters because it means price volatility is not going anywhere. Businesses should not expect the global fossil market to calm down on its own. They will need protection strategies that combine procurement expertise with a long-term view.
In practice, that means stronger contract positions, better long-term planning and using market analysis to avoid timing traps.
Energy security is now a business issue
The report makes clear that energy security and supply chain risk are now central concerns. For UK organisations this means procurement must become proactive rather than reactive. Many businesses only think about energy when renewal letters arrive. In 2025 and beyond, this will not be enough. Decision makers need reliable intelligence that cuts through noise and supports confident decisions.
The rise of on-site generation and storage
WEO 2025 highlights the growth of distributed energy. Solar, battery storage and hybrid systems are becoming mainstream planning tools. Costs are falling and technology is improving. Many organisations can now reduce grid exposure and strengthen resilience at the same time.
For many UK businesses the question is shifting from whether they should generate their own power to what the smartest route looks like.
Why it matters
The landscape is no longer about one tariff vs another. It is about future proofing and reducing exposure in a turbulent decade.
Practical steps businesses should take now:
• Review the next two years of usage rather than only thinking in single cycles
• Assess electrification needs early before grid constraints limit options
• Let procurement strategy be led by intelligence rather than urgency
• Use support from specialists who understand both commercial and technical factors
At Resolve we focus on giving clients clarity, control and confidence at a time when energy markets are shifting quickly.
If you would like professional support reviewing contracts, planning electrification steps or building a clearer long term energy strategy, our team is ready to help.
If you're looking to save money on your energy bills then why not get in touch today? The close relationships Resolve Energy has developed with over 24 of the UK’s biggest business energy suppliers allows our energy experts to source the best business energy rates available for your company right when you need them. Request a free quote today and start saving money on your energy.
