Asia’s energy demand takes centre stage at Gastech 2026

Gastech 2026 will bring the global energy industry to Bangkok from September 14-17 at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC), placing Asia’s rapidly rising energy demand at the centre of international policy, investment and technology discussions.

Hosted by Thailand’s Ministry of Energy, the event is expected to attract more than 50,000 participants from over 150 countries, alongside at least 800 exhibiting companies and more than 800 speakers. Its programme will cover natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), low-carbon solutions, hydrogen, shipping, electrification and artificial intelligence for energy.

The four-day gathering comes as industrial expansion, urbanisation, electrification, digitalisation and the rapid development of AI create new demand for reliable and affordable energy across Asia.

Every new factory, data centre, transport network and residential development requires additional power, strengthening Asia’s role as a key centre of growth for the global energy industry.

Asia drives the next wave of energy demand

Emerging markets and developing economies accounted for more than 80% of global energy-demand growth in 2024, with developing Asia responsible for about three-fifths of the increase.

Global electricity demand rose by 4.3% that year, driven by record temperatures, industrial activity, electrified transport, digitalisation and data-centre growth.

The International Energy Agency expects electricity consumption by data centres worldwide to more than double by 2030 to about 945 terawatt-hours, with AI becoming the most important contributor to that expansion.

Meanwhile, global energy investment was estimated to reach a record US$3.3 trillion in 2025, including US$2.2 trillion directed towards clean technologies such as renewable power, nuclear energy, electricity grids, storage, low-emission fuels and electrification.

These trends mean that the challenge is no longer limited to the energy transition, or replacing carbon-intensive energy sources with cleaner alternatives.

It increasingly involves energy addition — developing more generation, infrastructure and supply capacity to meet fresh demand emerging across the economy.

Natural gas and LNG, renewable energy, low-carbon technology and stronger electricity grids will all have to develop in parallel if governments are to support economic growth while maintaining energy security, affordability and sustainability.

Bangkok becomes a meeting point for global energy leaders

Thailand’s location at the heart of Southeast Asia, together with its investments in LNG infrastructure, power systems, digitalisation and industrial development, has positioned Bangkok as a strategic meeting place for the international energy sector.

Gastech 2026 will bring together policymakers, regulators, producers, infrastructure providers, technology companies, investors, traders and utilities from across the global energy value chain.

More than 200 sessions across 18 specialist programmes will examine the energy systems, technologies, policies and investment needed to support future economic growth.

Energy Minister Akanat Promphan said Thailand was proud to welcome global energy leaders at a time when energy security, economic competitiveness and sustainable growth were more closely connected than ever.

He described Gastech as an important platform where governments, businesses and investors could identify solutions to meet rising energy demand, strengthen resilience and create long-term opportunities for Asia.

Ministers and regulators to discuss policy and investment

The Gastech Strategic Conference will bring together energy ministers, senior policymakers and international organisations to discuss the cooperation and investment frameworks required for the next phase of global economic development.

Discussions will cover energy security, supply diversification, infrastructure development, regulatory cooperation and the role of energy in supporting prosperity in both emerging and developed markets.

Confirmed government and regulatory speakers include Akanat; US Deputy Secretary of Energy James P Danly; Singapore Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Foreign Affairs Gan Siow Huang; Egyptian Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Karim Badawi; Nigerian Minister of State for Petroleum Resources responsible for gas Ekperikpe Ekpo; Oman’s Energy and Minerals Minister Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi; and US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Laura Swett.

They will be joined by senior representatives of international energy organisations and officials from countries across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and other regions.

CEOs gather across the global energy value chain

Alongside government representatives, senior executives responsible for producing, supplying, transporting, financing and trading energy will take part in leadership sessions and business meetings.

Confirmed speakers include Dr Narin Phoawanich, governor of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand; Dr Kongkrapan Intarajang, president and chief executive officer of PTT; Tengku Muhammad Taufik, president and group chief executive officer of PETRONAS; Takayuki Ueda, president and chief executive officer of INPEX; and Liz Westcott, managing director and chief executive officer of Woodside Energy.

Other senior executives will represent YPF, NNPC, Chevron Global Gas, ExxonMobil Upstream, Shell, JERA, Venture Global, Baker Hughes and Trafigura.

The sessions are intended to identify opportunities for commercial cooperation, infrastructure investment and new projects capable of responding to changing demand, emerging technologies and new forms of energy-security risk.

Electrification and AI emerge as major themes

Gastech will introduce a new Electrification Strategic Conference Programme in cooperation with EGAT.

The programme will examine technologies, changing demand patterns and investment models needed to build more secure, competitive and lower-carbon electricity systems.

As industrial growth, digital infrastructure and AI accelerate electricity consumption, discussions will explore how countries can expand generation, reinforce grids and introduce more flexible power systems without undermining affordability or reliability.

The Global Energy Regulators Forum will bring together regulators, policymakers and industry leaders to examine how clearer rules can unlock infrastructure investment, accelerate innovation and support affordable and secure energy systems.

A dedicated Japan Energy Programme will focus on Japan’s changing LNG strategy, electricity demand and energy-security priorities, as well as their influence on energy markets across Asia and the world.

Another major feature will be AixEnergy, held alongside Gastech. It will bring together leaders from the energy, technology and investment sectors to examine the growing relationship between AI and energy.

The discussions will address both sides of that relationship: how sufficient electricity can be supplied to rapidly expanding data-centre infrastructure, and how AI can improve the efficiency, resilience and operational performance of energy systems.

Exhibition connects buyers, suppliers and investors

Beyond the conferences, the exhibition will provide a commercial platform connecting international suppliers, buyers, utilities, developers, investors and technology providers.

Chevron, ExxonMobil and Shell will serve as co-hosts. EGAT, PTT and Gulf will participate as National Consortium Partners, while RATCH and EGCO will be National Consortium Supporters.

Energy producers and suppliers including ADNOC, XRG, Cheniere, Venture Global and Woodside Energy will meet buyers and utilities such as KOGAS, GAIL, SEFE, Uniper and ENGIE.

Infrastructure and engineering providers including Bechtel, Technip Energies and Samsung Heavy Industries will be joined by technology companies including Baker Hughes, Siemens Energy and Honeywell, as well as energy traders Vitol and Trafigura.

Bringing companies from across the energy value chain into one venue is intended to advance discussions on supply and offtake agreements, infrastructure financing, terminals, electricity grids, technology deployment and strategic partnerships.

Gastech 2025 in Milan facilitated commercial agreements and investments valued at approximately US$60 billion, demonstrating the event’s role in translating industry discussions into business deals and projects.

From energy dialogue to investment decisions

Christopher Hudson, president of organiser dmg events, said: “The world’s energy story is ultimately a story of growth.”

He noted that economies were expanding and industries modernising across Asia and other regions, while demand continued to rise for energy that was reliable, affordable and sustainable.

At the same time, AI, digitalisation and electrification were creating new opportunities and entirely new sources of demand.

Hudson said Gastech would connect ministers and policymakers with producers, technology innovators, utilities and investors, allowing major discussions to progress into partnerships, investment decisions and practical projects.

Bangkok was particularly well placed to host the event because it lies at the centre of one of the world’s most dynamic regions for energy-demand growth, he added.

Gastech 2026 will be held at BITEC from September 14-17. Registration and further programme details are available through the event’s official website.

Source: Krungthep Turakij