Global energy demand isn’t slowing down anytime soon. In fact, it will stay above 100 million barrels per day all the way through 2040, according to Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology. Speaking at India Energy Week in Goa, he shared a clear message: both liquefied natural gas (LNG) and electricity demand are set to grow by more than 50% in that same window. Because of this, he urged leaders to invest boldly across the entire energy system—not just react to short-term noise.
Now, here’s the key takeaway: today’s energy story isn’t about decline. It’s about growth. Why? Three powerful forces are reshaping the landscape—emerging markets, artificial intelligence, and the transformation of energy systems themselves. Interestingly, these trends all come together most visibly in India, which has now become the world’s third-largest energy consumer.
“Transformation rewards those who move boldly, not those who wait for calm seas,” Dr Al Jaber told the crowd. He explained that meeting this scale of global energy demand means investing steadily—not just in oil and gas, but also in renewables, nuclear, and enabling infrastructure. “The biggest risk,” he warned, “isn’t oversupply. It’s underinvestment.”
Of course, electricity demand is rising fast too—and not just because of data centers and AI workloads. Believe it or not, cooling is becoming a major driver. By 2050, the world could have more than 5.6 billion air conditioners—that’s like selling ten units every second for the next 30 years.
And India? It’s right at the heart of this surge. Over the next 15 years, air travel there is expected to jump by 150%. Its urban population will near one billion. Meanwhile, data center capacity is projected to grow tenfold. All of this means India’s appetite for oil, gas, and power will heavily influence global energy demand for years to come.
That’s why Dr Al Jaber called the UAE-India energy relationship a stabilizing force in uncertain times. After all, reliable partnerships act like a true strategic reserve. India already ranks as the UAE’s number one LNG market. ADNOC—the UAE’s national energy company—serves as India’s largest LPG supplier and a top provider of crude oil, chemicals, and industrial feedstocks. In 2025 alone, ADNOC became India’s fourth-largest crude supplier. On top of that, Indian state oil companies hold equity stakes in major ADNOC fields like Lower Zakum.
Bilateral trade between the two countries is also accelerating. Experts expect it to double to $200 billion by 2032, which only strengthens their commercial ties.
So how do we support this kind of growth? According to Dr Al Jaber, we need investment across both traditional and clean energy. That’s exactly what the UAE is doing through ALTÉRRA—the world’s largest private climate investment vehicle. Right now, it backs 11 gigawatts of wind, solar, and battery storage projects tied to India’s clean energy goals. Meanwhile, ADNOC’s global arm, XRG, expands its gas portfolio, builds out a chemicals platform, and funds energy infrastructure to keep pace with industrial and digital expansion.
But it’s not just about scale—it’s also about smarts. ADNOC has rolled out over 200 AI tools and 65 robotics applications across its operations. In fact, it runs what it calls the world’s first agentic AI system built specifically for the energy sector. The company monitors every well in real time. Thanks to these upgrades, it has cut unplanned shutdowns by half while boosting efficiency and resilience.
What’s more, the UAE sends a consistent message to investors: stability matters. Over the past three years, it signed 35 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements—including its first-ever deal with India. And in 2025 alone, it attracted more than $45 billion in strategic foreign direct investment.
“If you’re looking for predictable returns,” Dr Al Jaber said, “look to the UAE. If good governance and the rule of law matter to you, you’ll find them here. And if you need a partner whose commitment won’t waver, you can count on us.”
All in all, as global energy demand continues climbing, partnerships like the one between the UAE and India will shape the future—not just of energy supply, but of innovation, security, and sustainable growth too.
