The Energy Debate Heats Up: Fossil Fuel Leaders Embrace 'Energy Addition' Amid Growing Demand
The world is at a crossroads when it comes to energy. For years, the narrative has been dominated by the push for an energy transition—a shift away from fossil fuels towards renewables. But here's where it gets controversial: fossil fuel leaders are now heralding a new era of energy addition, and they're not alone in their enthusiasm. This concept, which advocates for developing renewable energy sources alongside existing fossil fuels, is gaining traction, leaving many to wonder: Is this a pragmatic solution or a delay tactic?
At the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) in November 2025, the mood was electric. Attendees marveled at a model of the UAE's largest data center under construction, a symbol of the Stargate initiative—a joint venture between G42, Microsoft, and OpenAI. This project underscores the skyrocketing energy demands driven by artificial intelligence (AI), data centers, and urbanization. OPEC Secretary-General Haitham Al Ghais couldn’t hide his satisfaction. In an exclusive interview with CNBC, he noted a paradigm shift in the conversation around energy. “Three years ago, it was all about phasing out fossil fuels,” he said. “Today, it’s about a balanced approach—music to my ears.”
But here’s the part most people miss: This shift isn’t just about semantics. It reflects a growing recognition that the energy transition, as originally envisioned, may be unrealistic. Climate scientists have long warned that drastically reducing fossil fuel use is essential to combat global heating. Yet, global electricity demand is projected to soar through 2040, driven by factors like the quadrupling of power needs for data centers and the migration of 1.5 billion people to cities. UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology Sultan al-Jaber, who also serves as CEO of ADNOC and led COP28 talks, emphasized that renewable energy is set to double by 2040, but so too is the demand for liquified natural gas (LNG), with oil consumption remaining above 100 million barrels per day. “This isn’t about replacement,” he said. “It’s about reinforcement—energy addition.”
Is this a step forward or a step back? Critics argue that energy addition could slow the transition to renewables, while proponents see it as a practical response to immediate energy needs. Mike Sommers, CEO of the American Petroleum Institute (API), welcomed the “realistic conversation” about powering AI and other energy-intensive sectors. “We’re transitioning from the transition,” he said, pointing to the exponential growth in energy demand from AI, data centers, and even everyday activities like air conditioning. Energy veteran Dan Yergin agreed, noting that U.S. tech giants’ AI ambitions are driving a massive demand surge. “A big rethink is going on,” he said, highlighting how tech companies, once indifferent to energy costs, are now major players in the energy landscape.
And this is where it gets even more complex: While some, like Ed Crooks of Wood Mackenzie, argue that the original vision of the energy transition—achieving net zero by 2050 and limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees—was always overly ambitious, others believe the transition is still alive in the form of rapid renewable growth and the shift to electric vehicles. The question remains: Can energy addition and the energy transition coexist, or are they fundamentally at odds?
What do you think? Is energy addition a pragmatic solution to meet growing demands, or does it risk derailing progress toward a sustainable future? Share your thoughts in the comments—this debate is far from over.
