ADIPEC opens today; focuses on role of AI in renewables industry

On 4 November, Abu Dhabi welcomed the global energy sector to the UAE as ADIPEC 2024, the world’s largest energy event, opened at the ADNEC Centre

Hosted by ADNOC and themed 'Connecting Minds. Transforming Energy', ADIPEC 2024 is spotlighting the pivotal role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the energy transition, while introducing new insights from finance, technology, and the Global South, as well as youth perspectives, to promote a sustainable, secure, and equitable energy future.

His Excellency Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO, said at the opening ceremony, “Energy markets must shift and grow, and energy systems must be transformed.” He said that by 2050, “Wind and solar will expand seven times. LNG will grow by at least 65% and oil will continue to be used for fuel and as a building block for many essential products.”

These growing demands can only be met via artificial intelligence, he said. “AI is one of those areas defining breakthroughs that are changing the pace of change itself. It is redefining the boundaries of productivity and emissions, and it has the potential to accelerate the transformation of energy systems and to supercharge low carbon growth.”

“As AI expands, it will rely on a massive scale up of data centres for its huge and fast growing computational needs. Over the next six years, data centres will more than double, requiring at least 150 GW of installed capacity by 2030 and doubling again by 2040. No single source of energy is going to be enough to meet this demand. We need to integrate renewable energy, nuclear energy and gas in the most cost and carbon efficient way.”

The keynote speech by Al Jaber was followed by a ministerial panel, where leaders from the UAE, India, Egypt and Uganda presented their positions.

“ّIn the UAE, we are privileged with a leadership that believes in investments in energy, and all forms of energy. Our president His Highness Mohammed bin Zayed is a visionary leader, for the role of different forms of energy. And as you can see, we are investing in renewable, nuclear, and conventional as well.”

“In India, I can tell you that today we are using artificial intelligence for refinery automation,” said Hardeep Singh Puri, India's Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas. “We are using artificial energy intelligence for 2D and 3D seismic surveys, for finding oil and gas. We are using low cost solar energy in a way to boost our power in our data centres.”

Karim Badawi, Egypt’s recently-appointed Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, said, “Egypt's position as a regional hub, provides an ability to contribute to the petrochemical sector, in the refining sector, as well as export sector. We have the capacity to export refining capabilities of 40 million tons. So when we look at the situation in Egypt, we would like to leverage our position to be able to unlock the potential of the gas reserves, not only of Egypt, but of the region and of the Mediterranean.”

“Uganda's participation [in ADIPEC] will be to exploit the potential that you have in power generation, because advanced technology requires power and clean power,” said Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, who is Uganda’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Development. She said that the country is equipped to diversify its energy mix, consisting of solar and hydro power. “We also have potential for nuclear power,” she said.

Uniting global tech leaders

This year’s event debuts the Energyai by ADNOC zone, where global tech leaders such as enercap, Accenture, AIQ, Microsoft, and Baker Hughes will present innovative AI solutions to address energy needs and drive emissions reduction. This dedicated AI area will feature the Energyai Conference, Creative AI Lab, Reskilling Lab, networking spaces, demo stations, and an interactive AI showcase, offering attendees a firsthand look at cutting-edge technologies and collaborative opportunities within the industry.

With an anticipated 184,000 attendees from 164 countries, ADIPEC 2024 will be the largest event in its history. The conference lineup will include over 1,800 speakers, featuring 40 ministers and 200 top executives from the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas, all engaging 16,500 delegates across more than 370 sessions. ADIPEC’s ten-conference series, including the flagship Strategic Conference, will bring together global business, political, and industry leaders to set a clear path for an inclusive and balanced energy transition.

Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, ADIPEC 2024 is poised to deliver insights and innovations to shape the future of the energy industry. A convenient Park-and-Ride service will run every five minutes between Zayed Sports City and ADNEC from 6:00 to 19:00, ensuring easy access for all participants from 4–7 November 2024.