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The Future of Electricity in the Middle East and North Africa
Electricity demand in the MENA region This study analyses electricity demand in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and its evolution to 2035. MENA has long been a cornerstone of global energy supply. But the region is fast becoming a central character in the story of global energy demand, particularly that of electricity use. Rapid population growth, urbanisation, and rising temperatures are driving up electricity demand. Since 2000, MENA has become one of the top contributors to global electricity demand growth. The region’s climate, characterised by extreme heat and water scarcity, implies that reliable and resilient electricity…
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How global oil supplies have readjusted to help fill the huge gap left by the Strait of Hormuz shock
…on demand Global energy markets have been contending with their largest supply disruption in history resulting from the near closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for oil and gas shipments to reach global markets. The cumulative oil supply losses from producers in the Middle East now exceed 1.3 billion barrels, with flows through the Strait of Hormuz falling from around 20 million barrels per day prior to the conflict to an average of 2.7 million barrels per day in March, April and May.Since the start of the war in the Middle East on 28…
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How governments can best support consumers during this energy crisis
…best support consumers during this energy crisis The conflict in the Middle East has triggered a major shock to global energy markets, with the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz triggering the largest supply disruption in the history of oil markets and significantly impacting supplies of natural gas and a range of energy-related commodities.As concerns over supply security have grown, prices have risen across several parts of the energy system, increasing pressure on household budgets, public finances and economic activity more broadly. In response, many governments have announced emergency measures to protect consumers from higher energy costs…
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Oil Market Report - April 2026
…Listen to the most recent episode of the Everything Energy podcast with senior oil market analysts Rebecca Schulz and David Martin, which draws on fresh data and analysis from the April OMR Highlights Oil demand is expected to contract by 80 kb/d this year, as the Iran war upends our global outlook. This is 730 kb/d less than in last month’s Report and a forecast 1.5 mb/d 2Q26 decline would be the sharpest since Covid-19 slashed fuel consumption. Initially, the deepest cuts in oil use have come in the Middle East and Asia Pacific…
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Sheltering From Oil Shocks
Measures to reduce impacts on households and businesses The conflict in the Middle East has created the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market, due to the near halt in shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The loss of supply is having significant impacts in global markets, pushing up prices for crude oil above $100/barrel, and leading to much higher prices for some refined products – notably diesel, jet fuel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Concerns are growing about the impacts of higher prices on households, businesses and the broader economy.In this report, the…
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Oil Market Report - March 2026
…global product markets, with export flows through the Strait at a near standstill. Gulf producers exported 3.3 mb/d of refined products and 1.5 mb/d of LPG in 2025. More than 3 mb/d of refining capacity in the region has already shut due to attacks and a lack of viable export outlets. Runs elsewhere will be increasingly limited due to feedstock availability.IEA Member countries unanimously agreed on 11 March to make 400 mb of oil from their emergency reserves available to the market to address disruptions stemming from the war in the Middle East. Global…
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The Middle East and Global Energy Markets
…in the Middle East and continues to closely monitor the latest developments.The disruption to oil and gas flows through the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on energy infrastructure across the region have major implications for energy security and affordability – and for the world economy. The IEA's Executive Director has said the combined impacts amount to "the greatest threat to global energy security in history." The war in the region that began on 28 February has impeded energy trade flows through the Strait, creating the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market. Global gas markets have also…
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The Future of Electricity in the Middle East and North Africa Executive summary
A cornerstone of global energy supply and, increasingly, demand The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is at a pivotal moment in its energy journey. The region has long been a cornerstone of the global energy system. In 2024, it supplied over 30% of the world’s oil and nearly 20% of its natural gas. At the same time, it is emerging as a major centre of electricity demand growth, driven by a rapidly expanding population, urbanisation, rising living standards, and accelerating climate pressures. Between 2000 and 2024, electricity demand tripled – increasing by more than 1 000 terawatt-hours (TWh…
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Energy crisis threatens world’s most vulnerable as cooking fuel shortages grow
The Energy Crisis hits the Homefront: A growing shortage of cooking fuels The Middle East crisis has highlighted the energy security risks for a fundamental need: the ability to cook a meal The conflict in the Middle East has triggered a global energy crisis of unprecedented magnitude. The daily volumes of oil lost to global markets in March 2026 surpassed the peak supply losses of the two major oil shocks of the 1970s combined.Previous energy crises affected economies and societies in profound ways, often forcing households to ration fuel for their cars and heating for their homes. The 2026…
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Financing the Modernisation of Power Systems Beyond Coal Executive summary
…can be deployed to reduce coal emissions. The global energy crisis of the first half of 2026 has added a layer of complexity to coal transition and energy security strategies: heightened volatility in gas markets, driven in large part by conflict in the Middle East, has increased the short-term economic value of existing coal assets. At the same time, interest has grown in new financing mechanisms that could help accelerate coal transitions. Transition credits are one such option that have received increasing attention in the energy and carbon markets community in Southeast Asia. This report examines how transition credits…
