Outlook 2026: The US energy paradox – Efficiency at home, influence abroad
The US’ domestic energy market may be stagnating, but its role in the global energy system looks set to bloom
Albert Einstein’s law of conservation of energy—the idea that energy can be neither created nor destroyed—feels almost prophetic today. As the US forges new energy pathways and navigates shifting alliances, that principle remains the unspoken law. Some analysts believe energy demand in the US has entered a permanent state of stagnation—driven by efficiency gains, industrial shifts and slower commercial growth since the financial crisis. Globally, demand is expected to rise by nearly 5%, with OECD nations edging lower and non-OECD economies expanding sharply. The US is transitioning from a demand-driven energy economy to an efficiency-focused, globally influential supplier. The US is tr
Also in this section
17 March 2026
The crisis in the Middle East has put LNG’s ability to offer security and flexibility under uncomfortable scrutiny
16 March 2026
The country’s rapidly expanding economy is boosting its consumption of oil as demand for the fuel slows elsewhere in the world
13 March 2026
Brussels is again weighing a cap on gas prices amid the Hormuz crisis, but the measure could backfire by deterring the LNG cargoes Europe urgently needs
12 March 2026
Emergency oil stocks provide a last line of defence to oil market shocks, so the IEA’s unprecedented 400m bl release represents something of a double-edged sword
