Blog 6: Working together to find the solution

It is more important than ever that we work together to find robust energy solutions that are sustainable., affordable, and realistic.

Is it realistic that there will be enough electricity grid capacity to support such a fast transition away from fossil fuels? Will there be a sufficient and sustainable supply of essential metals and minerals to meet demand of green energy production and use? How do we compare and manage the total environmental impact of non-renewable and renewable energy sources? Will battery or hydrogen fuel technology improve so much in this short time that greener transport options are realistic and affordable? How will the complex issues of renewable energy technology decommissioning, recycling and disposal be addressed? 

All these questions are as unanswerable as what the future holds for our current dominant energy sector, oil & gas; where its importance as a major economic contributor and employer must surely also be considered very carefully. What is clear is that the switch from one to the other will not be as binary as many protesters, investors and politicians may expect.   

Targets are important, but as we all strive towards a cleaner and more sustainable future, let’s not forget that many companies, innovators and investors in oil and gas and their supply chain may ultimately have the skills, technology, people and possibly funding solutions to many of the energy transition problems. It would surely therefore be better to be less reactive towards quite sudden energy transition changes and demands, and take more time to work with the oil and gas sector rather than try to work against it.  

This is the sixth blog in a new series from Alasdair Green, a senior member of the AAB Energy Team and Head of E&P; “Balancing the Green Energy Agenda”.

To discuss any points raised in this blog or throughout the series, you can contact Alasdair directly.

Learn more about meeting Green Targets and growing global energy demand in the first blog of this series.