Richard Ginika Izuora
Minister of State for Energy Affairs and the President and CEO of QatarEnergy, Mr. Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, has highlighted the importance of harmonizing energy security, affordability and sustainability in the quest for an equitable and realistic energy transition.
In remarks at the Ministerial Plenary Meeting, as part of Tokyo’s Green Transformation Week, Al-Kaabi expressed firm belief that “a balanced energy transition demands the incorporation of natural gas in our present and future energy,” and that “natural gas will be indispensable, especially given its reliability as a base-load source for many nations and for many years post-2050.”
Al-Kaabi added, “While the pivot towards renewables is commendable, they cannot be the sole solution, particularly considering their intermittent nature. That’s where natural gas, as a cleaner, cost-effective, and ready-to-use component of energy transition, becomes vital. We in the State of Qatar, recognize the gravity of climate change and consistently take actions rather than making pledges.”
In concluding his remarks, the Minister stressed the importance of exploring cleaner solutions to combat climate change, stating, “Our duty is two-fold: advancing renewable capacity while sustaining a robust baseload capability. I urge this esteemed assembly to prioritize key factors vital for a sustainable transition: bolstering energy security, bridging the energy poverty gap that impacts billions of lives, ensuring equitable energy access, amplifying investments, and decisively moving away from coal.”