No Energy Transition Has Occurred, Argues Renowned Energy Historian Jean-Baptiste Fressoz

The idea that the world is undergoing an energy transition is a dangerous illusion, according to historian of science and technology Jean-Baptiste Fressoz. He argues that despite the growing presence of wind turbines and electric cars, global consumption of coal and oil is at an all-time high.

Fressoz, a French historian, challenges the common perception that renewable energy sources are replacing fossil fuels. He asserts that new energy sources have historically never replaced old ones, but rather supplemented them. This perspective suggests that the current focus on an "energy transition" is misleading, as the world continues to rely heavily on fossil fuels.

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It is a misconception that new energy has replaced old.

The historian's view highlights a significant disconnect between public perception and the reality of global energy consumption. While advancements in renewable technologies are visible and celebrated, they have not led to a decrease in the use of traditional fossil fuels. This ongoing reliance on coal and oil, Fressoz contends, makes the notion of a completed or even ongoing energy transition a fallacy.

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There is no energy transition, there never has been.