The global shift towards electricity will continue to support demand for petroleum-derived products used in electric vehicles, power grids and renewable energy equipment, according to OPEC Secretary-General Haitham Al-Ghais, who argues that oil and other energy sources will remain essential to the world’s energy system.
In an exclusive article, Al-Ghais said the expansion of electrification would require more plastics, polymers, cables, chargers and other materials made from petroleum, challenging what he described as the tendency to frame the energy transition as a contest between electricity and fossil fuels.
“The future should be about the ‘Age of all Energies’ and an understanding of how important each energy is to others,” he wrote.
Al-Ghais argued that the growing use of electric vehicles, household devices and digital equipment would increase demand for materials used in manufacturing and global supply chains, many of which rely on petroleum-powered transportation.
He cited estimates that a mid-sized electric vehicle contains about 45% more plastic and polymer composites than a similarly sized petrol or diesel vehicle, while arguing that the petrochemical requirements of electrification receive insufficient attention in discussions about the energy transition.
The OPEC chief also pointed to the materials required to expand electricity infrastructure, including cables, overhead lines, pylons, transformers, substations and control systems. Petroleum-derived products, particularly plastics and polymers, are used in the manufacture and installation of these components.
Renewable energy technologies also rely on oil-based materials. According to Al-Ghais, petroleum-derived materials such as fiberglass, resin and plastic account for an average of 15% of a wind turbine’s weight, while plastic makes up about 10% of a typical crystalline silicon solar panel.
The expansion of electric vehicle use also faces constraints beyond the availability of materials, including access to critical minerals, public charging infrastructure, subsidies and market conditions affecting manufacturers and consumers, he said.
Al-Ghais argued that these dependencies show why energy sources should not be treated as competing alternatives, saying growth in electricity and renewable energy would not necessarily mean a corresponding decline in the importance of oil and other fuels.
He said the world would need more electricity alongside other energy sources to meet rising demand, address energy poverty and maintain energy security.
The argument comes as governments and energy companies face pressure to reduce emissions while meeting growing electricity needs. Al-Ghais said the debate should recognise the interdependence of energy sources and the materials required to build and maintain modern energy systems.
He said OPEC supports the COP31 Presidency and hopes the message will resonate at the upcoming climate conference, where governments are expected to address energy and climate priorities.
