European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is scheduled to visit London next week for a pivotal summit on energy security.
During her visit, she will meet Labour leader Keir Starmer, as both the UK and the EU push forward on UK-EU energy cooperation as part of a broader effort to reset post-Brexit relations.
According to von der Leyen’s official agenda, the meeting with Starmer will take place on Thursday. She will also participate in a high-level energy summit co-hosted by the UK government and the International Energy Agency (IEA), focusing on strategies for securing a resilient and clean energy future across Europe.
Energy has become a strategic area for renewed collaboration between the UK and the EU. The topic is expected to feature prominently in an upcoming summit in May, where both parties will also address defence, fisheries, and broader security concerns.
UK ministers are using the upcoming summit to highlight the Labour government’s ambition to lead on climate action. They believe that the transition away from fossil fuels and towards renewables such as wind and solar power is key to long-term energy security and economic resilience.
Von der Leyen is currently the most senior international figure confirmed to be attending.
The event will be led by UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. It will bring together energy ministers from across IEA member states, including the United States.
While the US has followed a different course under Donald Trump—exiting the Paris climate accord and leveraging fossil fuels in trade negotiations—the shift has only strengthened the resolve of the UK and EU to lead on climate policy. Their shared efforts are seen as crucial to managing the global energy transition.
Von der Leyen’s visit comes at a time when the UK and EU are exploring deeper collaboration on electricity trading, particularly with existing post-Brexit arrangements due to expire in June 2026.
Energy firms on both sides of the Channel have criticised the current system, calling for an agreement that better reflects single market integration. Clean energy companies are also advocating for alignment on carbon pricing, emissions trading schemes, and carbon border adjustments to streamline cross-border climate strategies.
The summit also offers Keir Starmer an opportunity to reinforce his international standing, following his recent call for a global crackdown on people smuggling during high-level discussions on border security. His dual focus on climate and international cooperation aligns with the broader goals of the summit.
