- Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, ADNOC Managing Director, has rallied the energy industry to lead the world to the next phase of sustainable socioeconomic growth.
- H.E. Dr Al Jaber noted that targeted investment, enhanced grid and energy infrastructure and enabling policies and regulation are crucial to unlocking the transformative potential of the megatrends.
Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO, has rallied the energy industry to lead the world to the next phase of sustainable socioeconomic growth.
Delivering a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 40th edition of ADIPEC, H.E. Dr Al Jaber detailed how the industry can capitalise on the opportunities of the three global megatrends: the rise of emerging markets, the growth of artificial intelligence (AI), and energy system transformation. He explained that harnessing the megatrends requires unprecedented cross-sectoral integration to accelerate sustainable growth.
H.E. Dr Al Jaber noted that targeted investment, enhanced grid and energy infrastructure and enabling policies and regulation are crucial to unlocking the transformative potential of the megatrends. ADNOC, he explained, is embracing the megatrends and pivoting to new opportunities across the energy value chain and worldwide to future-proof its business, decarbonise and deliver long-term sustainable value.
“We stand at the dawn of a new era of hope and possibility, defined by three megatrends: first, the rise of the global south and emerging markets. Second is the transformation of energy systems, and third is the exponential growth of artificial intelligence. These three megatrends present mega opportunities that demand mega solutions,” H.E. Dr. Al Jaber said.
He highlighted that by 2050, the world’s population will grow by a further 1.7 billion, mostly in the Global South and as a result, energy markets must shift and grow, and energy systems must be transformed.
“Wind and solar will expand seven times. LNG will grow by 65 per cent. Oil will continue to be used as fuel and a building block for many essential products. And as the world becomes increasingly urban, electricity demand will double.
Adding to this demand is Artificial Intelligence. AI is one of those era-defining breakthroughs that is changing the pace of change itself. It is redefining the boundaries of productivity and efficiency. And it has the potential to accelerate the transformation of energy systems and to supercharge low carbon growth.
He noted that no single source of energy will be enough to meet this demand, and meeting this demand sustainably will require harnessing diverse energy sources, from renewables and nuclear to LNG, alongside advanced infrastructure and increased investment.
He emphasized that the UAE is proactively adapting its energy systems and cited ADNOC’s international growth strategy, which includes expanding its global gas footprint, making long-term investments in the chemicals sector, enhancing battery storage solutions, and advancing low-carbon fuels and carbon capture.
Dr Al Jaber highlighted the interconnectedness of energy and AI and urged an integrated, cross-sectoral response that meets AI’s fast-growing energy needs and leverages AI to transform energy systems.