EU-Korea Green Partnership at 2025 World Climate Industry Expo: Highlighting the Role of AI in the Clean Energy Transition
The Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Korea is pleased to announce the upcoming high-level seminar, “AI & Energy: Delivering EU and Korea’s Digital and Green Ambitions”, to be held on 27 August 2025 at the World Climate Industry Expo (WCE) in BEXCO, Busan.
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape global industries, its impact on energy systems presents both transformative opportunities and pressing challenges. According to the International Energy Agency, data centres alone consumed approximately 415 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity in 2024—around 1.5% of global consumption. This figure is projected to more than double by 2030, reaching 945 TWh, surpassing the current electricity usage of countries such as Japan.
Against this backdrop, the seminar will convene 150 leaders from government, industry, and academia to explore collaborative pathways for the EU and Korea to harness AI in optimizing energy systems, while ensuring that the energy demands of AI technologies are met sustainably.
Distinguished speakers will include:
- Ditte Juul Jørgensen, Director-General for Energy, European Commission
- Mika Nykänen, State Secretary to Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, and Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Finland
- Michel Heijdra, Vice Minister of Climate Policy and Green Growth, Netherlands
The event builds on the momentum of Clean Energy and Mission Innovation Ministerial meetings a day before and underscores the EU’s commitment to a system-wide approach to digitalisation in the energy sector. As part of its Affordable Energy Action Plan, the European Commission launched a public consultation and call for evidence on 6 August 2025 for its forthcoming Strategic Roadmap on Digitalisation and AI in Energy, slated for release in early 2026. This roadmap aims to accelerate the deployment of digital solutions for decarbonisation, including grid optimization, energy efficiency, and demand-side flexibility.
Korea, under the leadership of President Lee Jae-Myung, is positioning itself as a global AI leader. The administration’s five-year economic strategy prioritizes AI deployment across sectors, with initiatives such as building “AI highways” and establishing a national AI coordination body. These efforts aim to enhance industrial competitiveness, combat climate change, and drive the energy transition.
In addition to policymakers, the seminar will feature insights from European and Korean industry and research leaders, showcasing innovative applications of AI in the energy sector and highlighting opportunities for industrial cooperation.
This event is part of the broader EU–Korea Green Partnership, reinforcing shared ambitions for a just, clean, and digitally empowered energy future.
Event Details:
Venue: BEXCO Convention Center 1, Room 214–216
Date and Time: Wednesday, 27 August 2025 | 10:15–11:50
Registration: https://ti.to/eu-korea-green-partnership-programme/ai-and-energy-seminar
Press Contacts
Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Korea
Press & Public Information Department, delegation-rep-of-korea@eeas.europa.eu
EU-Korea Green Partnership Programme
Ms Oriane LEMAIRE, Key Outreach Expert, oriane.lemaire@gopa.eu (+821096984507)