Powering the Arctic: International conference explores a sustainable energy future

The Arctic Energy Foundation is hosting an international conference in Akureyri, Iceland on October 12-16, which will discuss the future of energy development across the Arctic region. Decision makers and experts will convene in the north Icelandic town for the Arctic Energy Forum to engage in a dialogue on diverse topics, with the event focussing on innovative and sustainable energy solutions for the Arctic.

Erlingur Gudleifsson, Director of the Arctic Energy Foundation and a senior researcher at the Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP) is the main organizer of the conference and he claims that it provides a vital forum where experts, policymakers, community and business leaders and academics can come together to discuss the energy future of a dynamic region. He claims that there has been a lack of a focused discussion platform for those working in energy on a government and research level.

“We are preparing to reimagine what energy resilience in the Arctic should look like,” Gudleifsson said. “Our communities endure some of the most extreme conditions on the planet, but they also possess extraordinary resilience. This conference is an opportunity to harness that resilience and pair it with forward-thinking, sustainable solutions.”

The knowledge grid

The Arctic encompasses 7 nations, each with their own energy solutions and challenges, however, Gudleifsson believes that collaboration between Arctic nations, built on shared successes and challenges, will be crucial to creating a strong framework for energy resilience.

“In the Arctic, we’re not just solving technical problems,” Gudleifsson said. “We’re dealing with cultural and logistical challenges that require collaboration across borders. No one country, institution, or company can address these challenges alone. The Arctic nations are stronger together.”

Guðleifsson points out how Alaska has benefitted from lessons learned in Iceland and vice versa. Despite the differences in their specific geographical conditions, both regions face similar challenges when it comes to ensuring energy security for isolated communities in harsh environments. 

“Last year, we invited Alaskan lawmakers and energy executives to come and see Iceland’s energy production and transmission system, ” he said. “This experience has been invaluable for them, especially as Alaska’s energy transmission system resembles what Iceland had fifty years ago. It is important for them to learn from others’ experiences, just as Iceland did, in order to make informed decisions about energy infrastructure development.”

By sharing their experiences, Iceland and Alaska demonstrate the value of leveraging regional expertise—whether it’s Iceland’s success with geothermal and hydropower or Alaska’s research into microgrids and solar power adaptation in remote communities. This type of cross-border exchange allows both regions to innovate and apply successful solutions in their respective contexts, ultimately leading to more sustainable energy practices in the Arctic.

Powering local communities 

The conference will cover a wide range of subjects, from the potential of hydropower and wind energy to the application of microgrid solutions for remote communities. A major focus will be fostering energy innovation that respects local communities and integrates their needs into strategic development. Guðleifsson says including Indigenous perspectives ensures that energy projects are not only sustainable, but also beneficial to the people who live there.

“Indigenous knowledge is a cornerstone of our approach,” Gudleifsson said. “These communities have lived in the Arctic for countless generations. If we are truly committed to sustainability, we need to combine advanced technologies with the wisdom and experience that already exist here.”

The future

Gudleifsson believes that the region is standing at a crossroads and he hopes that the conference will foster a dialogue that can lead to a brighter energy future for the Arctic. 

“We’re at a pivotal moment and it is vital that the decisions we make about our energy future be thoroughly thought-out,” he said. “The global energy landscape is changing, and the Arctic has the chance to lead by example. We can show that resilience and sustainability are not only possible but essential, setting a model that others can follow.”

As the Arctic is warming faster than the rest of the planet, it is vital that regional leaders in the public and private sector find appropriate solutions to the challenges facing all Arctic peoples. 

“We are under immense pressure to decrease emissions and respond to climate change, but we need to make sure our reactions make the situation better, not worse,” Gudleifsson said. “This is why we need a forum like this, so we can ensure that the solutions we implement are realistic, sustainable and to the benefit of communities in the Arctic.”