Natural gas is vital for a balanced and realistic energy transition, says Qatar's Energy Minister

While the pivot towards renewables is commendable, they cannot be the sole solution

Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, the President and CEO of QatarEnergy, 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, President & CEO of QatarEnergy, 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.”

The Tokyo Green Transformation Week is a series of events held in Japan focused on clean energy with an eye to achieving a balance between energy security and climate change countermeasures, while at the same time promoting economic growth.