OPEC chief advocates for an ‘Age of All Energies’

OPEC Secretary-General Haitham Al Ghais has called for an “Age of All Energies” to address rising global electricity demand, arguing that the energy transition should not be viewed as a competition between electricity and fossil fuels.

Speaking on the sidelines of the COP31 conference, Al Ghais noted that the global shift toward electrification will actually sustain demand for petroleum-derived products. He highlighted that the infrastructure required for electricity, such as cables, chargers, transformers, and power grids, relies heavily on plastics and polymers.

Al Ghais pointed out that mid-sized electric vehicles contain approximately 45% more plastic and polymer composites than comparable petrol or diesel vehicles. Furthermore, renewable energy technologies require oil-based materials, with petroleum-derived components like fiberglass and resin accounting for roughly 15% of a wind turbine’s weight and plastics making up about 10% of a typical solar panel.