The fourth annual Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum opened in Abu Dhabi yesterday (Jan 11), kicking off three days of high-level discussions with industry and political leaders to set the energy agenda for the year ahead. 

 

Once again, the Global Energy Forum is serving as a key part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

 

Participants at the Global Energy Forum will examine the longer-term geopolitical and geo-economic implications of the changing energy system, with a focus on the role of oil and gas in the energy transition, financing the future of energy, and interconnections in a new era of geopolitics. 

 

The forum will have a region-specific focus this year on South and Southeast Asia, which has emerged at one of the world’s fastest growing demand centres.

 

The forum is once again being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces. The Forum is convened in partnership with the Ministry of Energy & Industry of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), and Mubadala Investment Company, with Sharjah-based Crescent Petroleum and Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation as Platinum Co-Chairs.

 

Speakers at the 2020 Global Energy Forum include: Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State, UAE and CEO, Adnoc Group; Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy & Industry, UAE; Engineer Mohamed Al Hammadi, CEO, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec); Musabbeh Al-Kaabi, CEO, Petroleum and Petrochemicals, Mubadala Investment Company; Mohammad Barkindo, Secretary General, Organization the Petroleum Exporting Countries; Dr Tawfiq-e Elahi Chowdhury, Energy Adviser to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh; Francis Fannon, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Energy Resources, US Department of State; Nandita Parshad, Managing Director, Sustainable Infrastructure Group, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; Majid Jafar, CEO, Crescent Petroleum; Dr Helima Croft, Managing Director & Global Head of Commodity Strategy, RBC Capital Markets; Meg Gentle, President & CEO, Tellurian; Adam Sieminski, President, King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center; Michael Sen, Chief Executive Officer, Siemens Energy; Anatol Feygin, Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer, Cheniere Partners; and Steven Kobos, President and Managing Director, Excelerate Energy.

 

Al Mazrouei said: “The Fourth Annual Global Energy Forum, organised in partnership with the Atlantic Council, plays a fundamental role in addressing various issues relating to energy including nuclear, oil, gas, and renewable energy sources. The Forum provides a unique platform that brings together prominent global energy leaders to address pressing industry issues. Furthermore, it provides a clearer perspective on the future of the global energy sector and the challenges facing it, to enable informed decision-making for investment purposes and government policy-making.”

 

Al Kaabi said: “This forum has now developed into a major gathering of key stakeholders in the global energy industry. As a global investor, we recognise the importance of dialogue and partnerships in developing and implementing strategic solutions to some of the most urgent challenges in which the industry is engaged, not least, that of continuing to meet the world’s growing energy needs while reducing emissions.”

 

Eng Al Hammadi said: “Nuclear energy is a proven, credible solution for spearheading the decarbonization of the electricity sector, complementing intermittent renewable electricity sources to enhance energy diversification and security. 

 

“The UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program supports the Nation’s transition to clean energy through the generation of significant volumes of clean electricity 24/7. Once fully operational, the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant will produce up to 25% of the Nation’s electricity while preventing the release of 21 million tons of carbon emissions annually. These benefits, combined with the creation of high-value careers and a new industrial sector demonstrate the value this strategic national infrastructure project brings to the UAE, and provides a strong case study for other nations considering peaceful nuclear energy as part of their energy portfolio.” 

 

“The UAE’s peaceful nuclear energy industry and Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant will power the future growth and prosperity of our nation through the delivery of 5,600 MW of clean electricity to homes and business across the country, preventing the release of 21 million tons of carbon emissions and providing high-value jobs and educational opportunities to Emiratis for decades to come,” added Al Hammadi.

 

Jafar said: “Sustainability has become a critical business issue for our industry, and we must work together to support the carbon transition particularly in the developing world. We are pleased to be a Platinum co-chair of the Global Energy Forum for the fourth consecutive year, as the forum tackles the critical issues of the low-carbon transition among other key issues facing the industry. We look forward to joining some of the great minds in our sector to frame the global agenda for the year to come.”

 

Randolph Bell, Director, Atlantic Council Global Energy Center, said: “As last week’s events demonstrated, it could not be a more important time to be in Abu Dhabi. The 2020 Global Energy Forum will provide the venue for global decisionmakers to take action to manage the crisis in the region, which deeply impacts energy markets, while also ensuring that the decisions we make today create a more sustainable future tomorrow. It is crucial that geopolitical and industry leaders discuss and debate how to meet these challenges, particularly as we enter into a new decade that promises profound change in how energy will be developed and delivered.” - TradeArabia News Service