Nov 5, 2026 · 46 min
Conflict exposes the world’s fragile energy system
Energy security in volatile times: how the conflict in the Middle East is changing strategies for resilient energy supplies| Live from ADIPEC in Abu Dhabi
The episode shows how geopolitical shocks, underinvestment, rising electricity demand, and affordability pressures are forcing a broader rethink of energy security.
- 1Indonesia’s dependence on imported oil makes supply diversification, domestic exploration, and resilient infrastructure strategic priorities.
- 2Hydrogen and ammonia offer targeted solutions, but transport, cracking, affordability, and scale limit their wider energy-transition role.
- 3Years of underinvestment point toward sustained higher prices and heavier spending across oil, gas, grids, and alternative energy.
Don't miss
Alex Tancock links years of underinvestment and poorly managed energy policy to a prolonged period of higher prices and greater investment.
The brief
Recorded at ADIPEC in Abu Dhabi, the discussion treats energy security as a systems problem: conflict, supply disruptions, rising demand, and years of underinvestment reinforce one another.
Dannif Danusaputro describes Indonesia’s severe gap between domestic oil production and national demand, while outlining imports, overseas assets, partnerships, swaps, and new exploration as parts of the response.
Aman Ahmad argues that resilient infrastructure now means more than spare parts: ammonia may transport hydrogen more easily, but cracking it back at scale remains unproven.
Alex Tancock presents renewable hubs that combine wind, solar, storage, flexible hydrogen production, and steady industrial demand, while stressing hydrogen’s current niche role.
The panel’s central warning is economic as much as geopolitical: underinvestment and poorly managed policy could keep prices elevated while demanding major new energy spending.
What was said on this episode
8 statements · 7 positive · 1 neutral
- Alex Tancockon Intercontinental Energy data center energy systemsPositive14:10
Intercontinental Energy can deliver five-nines reliability for data centers.
“We can deliver that.”
Listen at 14:10
- Alex Tancockon Intercontinental Energy power systemsPositive14:17
Intercontinental Energy can deliver continuous power to customers.
“And our power customers want 24-7 power, and we can deliver that.”
Listen at 14:17
- Alex Tancockon Intercontinental Energy renewable energy hubsPositive14:25
Intercontinental Energy’s systems use entirely renewable energy.
“100% renewables.”
Listen at 14:25
- Alex Tancockon Wind and solar energy projectsPositive14:31
Wind-solar projects can achieve a 74% capacity factor before storage.
“you're at 74% capacity factor before you do anything with storage.”
Listen at 14:31
- Alex Tancockon Intercontinental Energy P2H2 nodePositive14:49
Combining variable hydrogen loads with constant loads produces lower-cost energy.
“you end up with a low cost product for everybody.”
Listen at 14:49
- Alex Tancockon Intercontinental Energy renewable energy projectsNeutral15:10
Intercontinental Energy’s projects will be built incrementally over decades.
“these projects of ours won't be delivered in one go. They're built over decades in phases.”
Listen at 15:10
- Alex Tancockon Intercontinental Energy renewable energy projectsPositive16:04
Intercontinental Energy’s projects will rank among the leading renewable energy basins.
“our projects will be on the same list for renewable energy basins in the future.”
Listen at 16:04
- Alex Tancockon Intercontinental Energy P2H2 nodePositive16:25
Intercontinental Energy’s P2H2 node will be licensed for use beyond its projects.
“that's a product, I guess, stealing KBR's business model, that's a licensable product that we expect to be seen in other places too, not just at our projects.”
Listen at 16:25
Statements are attributed to the speaker as said on the episode and reflect their view at the time, not PodLume's. They are not advice.
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