Espen Mehlum

Head, Energy, Centre for Energy and Materials at World Economic Forum

Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland

About

Passionate about creating positive change in international environments, in have dedicated my career so far to creating impact in energy, climate and cleantech investments. After finalizing my Masters’s degree in economy and business administration in Norway, I joined the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy as an adviser and had the opportunity to influence important policy decisions and work closely with senior executives from energy companies. This gave me the opportunity to serve as a diplomat representing Norway to the International Energy Agency and the OECD in Paris, broadening my perspectives and responsibilities. Eager to continue my career in an international context and scale my impact, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to join the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, which is also my second home country as a double Swiss and Norwegian national. For the past 18 years, I have served in different roles in this organization leading teams, complex projects and events that engage top executives and policy makers to create strategic insights and impact. Currently as the head of Energy Transition Intelligence and Regional Action, for the World Economic Forum’s Centre for Energy and Materials. I am overseeing projects related to mobilizing investments for clean energy, clean fuels, global energy transition benchmarking, contribution to international processes like G20 and all our Centre’s regional activities around the world. Throughout my life I have enjoyed learning languages and now speaking 6 different ones plus the Swiss German dialect. The ones I use daily are English, French, Norwegian and Portuguese. I enjoy interacting with professionals from around the world and different backgrounds both from business, government and academia. As a seasoned global energy and sustainability expert with high motivation, I am ready to take on new challenges in energy, finance or other sectors. Happy to get in touch with you.

Experience

  • World Economic Forum (13 yrs)
    • Head, Energy, Centre for Energy and Materials
      Jul 2025 - Present · 1 yr 1 mo

      I am heading the Energy Program and related activities of the World Economic Forum's Centre for Energy and Materials. This includes a portfolio of global and regional initiatives, communities and events that engage leaders from business, governments, academia and civil society from around the World and the team that delivers these initiatives.

    • Head of Energy Transition Intelligence and Regional Action
      Apr 2023 - Jul 2025 · 2 yrs 4 mos

      Head of Energy and Industry Transition Intelligence and Regional Acceleration, Centre for Energy and Materials at the World Economic Forum. Overseeing programs, initiatives, events and teams related to energy and materials transition

    • Head of Energy, Material and Infrastructure Program, Growth Markets and Benchmarking
      Jul 2021 - Jun 2023 · 2 yrs

      Heading the Growth markets and Benchmarking programs of the World Economic Forum's Energy, Materials and Infrastructure Platform. This includes leading teams and global projects that engages c-suite executives from companies and the public sectors across the world to drive positive change in areas such as: - Mobilizing investments for clean energy in emerging and developing economies - sustainable investing - China, Brazil, India and Indonesia programs focused on energy transition - Benchmarking industrial transition towards net zero emissions in energy and heavy industries - Global energy transition index benchmarking energy systems of 115 countries Lead event preparations and execution for Word Economic Forum events and sessions related to energy and sustainability. Regularly speak at conferences Lead a team of 5 staff and several consultants and fellows.

  • Associate Director, Head of Knowledge Management&Integration Energy Industries at World Economic Forum
    Feb 2011 - Feb 2013 · 2 yrs 1 mo

    Lead the intellectual agenda for the World Economic Forum’s Energy Industry Partnership including projects, meetings for partners such as the Energy Summit in the Davos Annual Meeting, strategy meetings and publications. Lead Government and expert relations for energy industries.

  • Associate Director, Head of Electricity and Energy Technology Industry at World Economic Forum
    Jul 2006 - Nov 2010 · 4 yrs 5 mos

    Lead the community of Electric Utilities and Energy Technology industry at the World Economic Forum consisting of 20 partner companies from across the world. Lead cross industry initiatives such as Smart Grids. Conceptualized and delivered several CEO/Minister and senior official level meetings

  • First Secretary and Energy Adviser at Norwegian Delegaton to the OECD
    Jan 2004 - Jul 2006 · 2 yrs 7 mos

    Managed the Norwegian relationship with the International Energy Agency (IEA).reporting to Director General Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, Director General Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Norwegian ambassador to the OECD Represented Norway in IEA and OECD committees. Advised and supported delegates attending committee meetings including ministerial level meetings and the Governing Board of the IEA

  • Adviser at Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy
    Jan 2000 - Jan 2004 · 4 yrs 1 mo

    Managed the Ministry’s day to day follow-up of a substantive portfolio of Norwegian oil fields with a total production of around 1 mill. Barrels/day. Represented the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy in management committees for each oil field. Executive work on issues relating to the development and operation of oil production&transportation facilities in Norway.