Dubai, Jan 28: India has been recognised as a central force in the world’s rapidly expanding energy landscape, with demand expected to grow at an unprecedented pace over the coming decades, according to Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). He made the remarks during his keynote address at India Energy Week 2026, highlighting India’s rising importance in shaping global energy consumption trends. Dr. Al Jaber said India — currently the third-largest energy consumer in the world — sits at the heart of the largest expansion in energy demand in history, driven by rapid urbanisation, technology growth and expanding infrastructure. Over the next 15 years, India’s air travel is expected to grow by 150 per cent, its urban population will approach one billion, and its data centre capacity could increase ten-fold, all of which will fuel rising energy consumption.
Globally, demand for oil is projected to remain above 100 million barrels per day through 2040, with demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) and electricity rising by at least 50 per cent, Al Jaber said, noting that cooling and digital infrastructure will be major drivers alongside conventional sectors. He warned that underinvestment, rather than oversupply, poses the greatest risk to meeting future demand.
Dr. Al Jaber also underscored the strengthening energy partnership between India and the UAE, stating that reliable, long-term collaboration is essential in an era of market volatility. The UAE is a key supplier of crude oil, LNG and LPG to India, and bilateral trade between the two nations recently crossed USD 100 billion, with plans to double that figure by 2032.
As global energy markets transform — driven by emerging economies, digitalisation and the integration of diverse energy sources — India’s role as a demand driver and strategic partner to energy producers like the UAE is expected to deepen further in the years ahead.