Global Energy Award winner calls for ‘humane face’ for energy development

12 February 2008

Dr Hisham Khatib is calling for a ‘humane face’ of energy to be developed to close the divide between nations and steer the globe into a better and cleaner future with affordable energy for everyone.

“We have to remember that in this day and age, almost one third of the world’s population has no access to commercial energy as we all know it and one quarter has no access to electricity at all” said Dr Khatib. “It is our duty to pursue the provision of energy and electricity to practically every human being on our planet, but not at the cost of the planet.”

Dr Khatib has been a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology for over 30 years.

He was awarded the 2007 Global Energy Award by the World Energy Council. This is its most prestigious award which recognises Dr Khatib’s substantial contribution to the global energy sector over a career which spans nearly 50 years.

“Looking at the present day global energy markets, there is now greater stress than at any other time since 1980. Oil prices are nearing, in real terms, the threatening peaks of that decade and the energy structure, which depends heavily on fossil fuels, has not changed and is unlikely to change in the near future,” continued Dr Khatib.

“Emissions are increasing and abatement technologies are still in their infancy. Investment requirements for the energy sector are soaring, costs are doubling, with shortages in investment funds, manpower and refining capacities. All this is straining the economies of many developing countries, representing challenges more than promises.

“We need now to reduce the infringement of energy use on the health of the environment and address the imbalance in global provision. This needs further impetus from those of us who work in the energy sector. It is a challenge we will readily pick up.”

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