Washington: Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNOC, and Executive Chairman of XRG, emphasized the need for coordinated efforts across energy, technology, finance, and policy sectors to seize the investment opportunities presented by artificial intelligence (AI). Speaking at the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum in Washington DC, Dr. Al Jaber described AI as a transformative force requiring a significant shift in energy policy and infrastructure.
According to Emirates News Agency, Dr. Al Jaber highlighted the substantial energy demands of AI advancements, stating that the global energy systems are currently unprepared. He noted that the United States might need an additional 50-150 gigawatts of capacity by 2030, equivalent to the energy consumption of several major cities. To address this challenge, he presented a roadmap developed with XRG, MGX, and the Atlantic Council, which calls for expedited permitting, modernized grids, and strategic investments in gas, nuclear, and renewable energy sources.
Dr. Al Jaber underscored the importance of partnership, citing the UAE and US's strategic collaboration across various sectors. He detailed the UAE's extensive engagement with US companies, highlighting XRG's role in Texas's largest LNG facility and Masdar's renewable energy projects, which have achieved 5.5GW of operational capacity across the US. He emphasized the need to modernize power delivery systems to meet the growing demand, advocating for reliable energy sources and a 'pragmatic pause' on early retirements of power plants while expanding nuclear capacity.
Addressing regional and energy security issues in the Middle East, Dr. Al Jaber reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to dialogue and diplomacy, urging all parties to respect sovereignty and international law. He concluded by calling for enhanced collaboration to unlock AI's full potential and economic opportunities, stressing the importance of a coordinated roadmap, supportive policy, and strategic investment to drive AI and energy forward.
Dr. Al Jaber's remarks followed the second ENACT Forum in Washington DC, which convened leaders across sectors to discuss AI-driven power demand and infrastructure investment. A new report, "Powering the Next Great Leap in Human Progress," was published, outlining integrated solutions and system-wide actions required to harness AI's transformative potential fully. The report emphasizes practical approaches to optimize generation capacity, modernize grid infrastructure, and accelerate next-generation technologies.