Iran war and Hormuz closure send energy prices soaring, spur rooftop solar and EV uptake

Oil and gas prices have surged after war with Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a scramble by countries to secure energy supplies. The price shock is rippling through fuel and power markets and sharpening questions about how quickly economies can pivot away from fossil fuels.

Amid the disruption, sales of rooftop solar systems and electric vehicles are soaring, as households and businesses look for ways to cut exposure to volatile fossil fuel costs. The swift uptick is adding momentum to a transition that was already underway but is now being tested by geopolitical risk.

The moment has brought fresh focus to whether the crisis is forcing a break from fossil fuel dependence and how viable alternative low‑emissions fuels are at scale. Dani Alexander, chief executive of the University of New South Wales Energy Institute, is examining these questions, assessing what the current market turmoil may reveal about the readiness of emerging technologies.

The debate now turns on whether sustained price pressures and supply uncertainty will translate into lasting changes in energy choices, and whether new low‑emissions options can reliably meet demand. Those answers will shape how the next phase of the energy transition unfolds.