The Role of Gas in Ensuring Energy Security and Sustainability in the Middle East
Key Ideas
  • Gas offers a path to energy sovereignty through localised infrastructure, reducing dependency on maritime supply chains and enhancing grid reliability.
  • Replacing oil or coal-fired generation with gas can cut carbon emissions by up to 60%, showing its potential for sustainability and decarbonisation.
  • Modern gas infrastructure, including smart technologies and hydrogen blends, is driving a cleaner future and supporting economic diversification.
  • Deploying advanced technologies like HVDC transmission systems and energy storage strengthens grid stability and enables seamless integration of renewables.
The article discusses the importance of gas in ensuring energy security and sustainability in the Middle East, particularly in the context of recent geopolitical events affecting critical energy arteries like the Strait of Hormuz. It emphasizes the need to diversify energy sources and reduce reliance on vulnerable maritime trade routes. The author advocates for a shift towards natural gas due to its benefits in promoting energy sovereignty, reducing carbon emissions, and supporting the transition to a low-carbon future. Gas-to-power projects are highlighted as a key strategy to enhance grid reliability and decrease exposure to international price shocks. The article also addresses the misconception that natural gas is incompatible with decarbonisation, citing examples from Saudi Arabia where major gas projects are replacing oil-fired stations and integrating carbon capture technologies. Furthermore, the article underscores the role of smart gas infrastructure in optimizing operations, reducing emissions, and supporting the integration of renewables. It mentions advancements in hydrogen blends and digital technologies that contribute to a cleaner energy landscape. The discussion extends to the importance of modernizing electrical grids through smart technologies to enable regional energy trade and facilitate industrial electrification. The article concludes by emphasizing the complementary nature of gas and renewables in building flexible, reliable grids for decarbonisation. It calls for a balanced approach by utilities, combining renewables, high-efficiency gas, and technologies like HVDC transmission systems and energy storage to ensure grid resilience and support national decarbonisation goals.
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