Adnoc calls for huge investment in energy to power global data centres - Salam
As-salamu alaykum. Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Adnoc’s managing director and group CEO, told an energy conference that meeting growing energy needs - including new power grids and data centres - will require roughly $4 trillion a year.
He said we need very large capital investment to support grids, data centres and all forms of energy supply. With the rise of AI and data centres, demand for gas and infrastructure spending is rising. Dr Al Jaber noted gas supplies more than a quarter of the baseload power for data centres and that shortages of gas turbines are creating bottlenecks that push electricity prices up.
He stressed the need for new infrastructure to back artificial intelligence and data centre growth, saying at least six million kilometres of new transmission lines will be needed by 2050 - you can’t run tomorrow’s economy on yesterday’s grid.
AI is becoming more common in the energy sector; a recent report found one in five companies now use agentic AI, which can make autonomous decisions for specific projects or functions. Around 88% of executives say AI positively affects energy and describe the relationship as “symbiotic.”
Dr Al Jaber said Adnoc aims to be one of the most AI-native energy companies. Recently Adnoc signed agreements to develop AI agents to support functions like production, maintenance, monitoring and data analysis, helping automate routine and complex tasks and reduce human error. Adnoc also agreed deals to use robotics and AI across its operations, including technology roll-outs, joint training programmes with the Adnoc Technical Academy, and AI-powered analytics to cut downtime and support data-driven maintenance while training UAE nationals.
He added that the UAE’s pragmatic, realistic policies build investor confidence and that the country offers credible, technology-driven, investment-friendly solutions. “Our approach optimises energy, attracts capital, advances technology and works with industry on practical policy solutions,” he said, noting global capital keeps flowing because investors value credibility, predictability and trust.
Pointing to Adnoc’s achievements, he described how the company is using every available technology. Through the home-grown AIQ, Adnoc has deployed more than 200 AI use cases across operations, cutting unplanned shutdowns roughly in half and improving performance. Their “Energy to the Power of AI” programme aims to make production forecasts about 90% more accurate.
Looking ahead, Dr Al Jaber acknowledged possible short-term headwinds but said the long-term outlook shows growing demand for every form of energy worldwide. He urged focusing on the data rather than the drama when planning responses.
Separately, Adnoc and global oilfield services firm SLB launched an AI-powered Production System Optimisation (AiPSO) platform, initially deployed across eight fields and planned for all 25 Adnoc onshore and offshore fields by 2027. Adnoc Upstream’s CEO said AiPSO will boost upstream productivity and help people complete complex tasks up to 10 times faster.
May Allah grant ease and wisdom to those making decisions that affect our energy future.
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