Electric vehicles quietly cruise the streets of the United Arab Emirates. Wind turbines turn on a hilltop in Jordan. Global companies compete to build Saudi Arabia’s first major solar power plant. And in Oman, the government promotes the use of solar panels on homes to cut electricity costs.
New energy trends are emerging across the Middle East as countries pursue their visions of a lower-carbon future. But, as the population increases and standards of living improve, these countries also face the challenge of meeting rapidly rising energy demand.
Across the region, energy consumption is expected to outstrip the rate of increased use globally in the coming decades, according to the World Energy Council. How can governments meet such demand while also significantly cutting emissions of the greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change?
Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, will play a key role. But they can only provide some of the answer. Such sources produce electricity, which currently delivers around 20 per cent of the world’s energy needs. Over time, with the greater electrification of energy systems, the role of renewables will grow.
But while the emergence of the new energy future in the Middle East is exciting, there continues to be a need for investment in oil and gas projects to power economies on the road to a lower-carbon future. For instance, industrial processes, petrochemicals and transport such as aircraft, ships and trucks will depend on oil and natural gas for the foreseeable future.
Through digital technologies, and by finding opportunities to combine oil and gas with renewables, compelling new projects in the UAE and across the region can meet demand more efficiently and contribute to prosperity in the process.
In natural gas, the cleanest-burning fossil fuel, we have an energy source that bridges the traditional and the new, today and the future. In the Middle East, and globally, it exists in abundance. Countries such as Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the UAE are stepping up gas production.
Its economic and environmental benefits are clear. Gas is a versatile fuel that works across an entire economy. It can light, cool or heat homes and businesses and is a key ingredient in petrochemicals. It can fuel cars, trucks and ships. And it produces the extremely high temperatures needed to make essentials such as iron, cement and steel – the heavy industry which renewables cannot currently power. When used to generate electricity, natural gas produces less carbon dioxide and far less local air pollution than other fossil fuels.
Importantly, it is a reliable partner for renewable projects like solar power plants or wind farms. Gas-fired power stations can be turned on quickly to meet demand if there is no sun or no wind.
Developing new projects is essential to fuel the region’s rapid economic growth. But, in line with the drive towards a cleaner energy system, new oil and gas projects need to be more efficient. At Shell, we are working hard to achieve this.
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Basrah Gas Company, in which we are a partner, is one example. Today it processes natural gas from three oil fields in southern Iraq to supply power plants, produce liquefied petroleum gas and provide other products. This valuable resource, which was previously burned off, or flared, is now providing energy for homes and businesses in Basrah and the surrounding region.
Continuing investment in oil and gas projects will also help governments to diversify their economies. The growth of petrochemicals has helped Gulf countries diversify away from heavy dependence on oil exports.
The region now produces more than 10 per cent of the world’s petrochemicals. By 2020, a further 30 million tonnes of annual production capacity will be added. This is a story of success. Such growth is creating precious jobs and greater prosperity for a young and increasing population.
Digitalisation is also improving production of the energy that economies need to thrive. Just as digital technologies are transforming our lives, they are also reshaping the energy industry. At Shell, digital applications are already creating new business models, driving cost efficiencies and improving production in our operations.
Take Petroleum Development Oman, in which Shell is a partner. PDO is producing more oil by analysing vast amounts of data gathered through sensors inside components across its 10,000 oil wells around the country. This data provides key indicators on the state of reservoirs, helping engineers to make speedier and more informed production decisions.
While we remain an oil and gas business, Shell is reshaping its operations to respond to the world’s changing energy needs and that requires investment in new energies, with new horizons. Among other projects, we invest in production of low-carbon biofuels in Brazil, wind farms - including a new development off the coast of the Netherlands - and we recently acquired Europe’s leading electric vehicle charging company. For our company it makes business sense to invest in the future – to fulfil our aim of producing more and cleaner energy to power human progress.
Ben van Beurden is CEO of Shell. Adipec, Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, runs from Monday until Thursday
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
IF YOU GO
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info
Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.
Our Time Has Come
Alyssa Ayres, Oxford University Press
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
Drivers’ championship standings after Singapore:
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes - 263
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari - 235
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes - 212
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull - 162
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari - 138
6. Sergio Perez, Force India - 68
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, Group B
Barcelona v Inter Milan
Camp Nou, Barcelona
Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
Is it worth it? We put cheesecake frap to the test.
The verdict from the nutritionists is damning. But does a cheesecake frappuccino taste good enough to merit the indulgence?
My advice is to only go there if you have unusually sweet tooth. I like my puddings, but this was a bit much even for me. The first hit is a winner, but it's downhill, slowly, from there. Each sip is a little less satisfying than the last, and maybe it was just all that sugar, but it isn't long before the rush is replaced by a creeping remorse. And half of the thing is still left.
The caramel version is far superior to the blueberry, too. If someone put a full caramel cheesecake through a liquidiser and scooped out the contents, it would probably taste something like this. Blueberry, on the other hand, has more of an artificial taste. It's like someone has tried to invent this drink in a lab, and while early results were promising, they're still in the testing phase. It isn't terrible, but something isn't quite right either.
So if you want an experience, go for a small, and opt for the caramel. But if you want a cheesecake, it's probably more satisfying, and not quite as unhealthy, to just order the real thing.
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
GRAN%20TURISMO
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