Australian Energy Minister to Visit India, Saudi Arabia to Advance Energy Security Cooperation
Chris Bowen will hold energy talks in India and Saudi Arabia, with discussions covering fuel security, renewable energy, electrification and global supply risks.
CANBERRA, Sept 22: Australian Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen will visit India and Saudi Arabia this week for discussions aimed at strengthening energy and fuel security amid disruptions affecting major global oil and gas supply routes.
Bowen will travel to India first, where he is scheduled to meet his ministerial counterparts and visit the Jamnagar oil refinery in Gujarat, described as the world’s largest oil refinery.
During his India visit, Bowen will convene a roundtable with clean energy industry representatives and deliver a keynote address on electrification ahead of COP31. Discussions are expected to examine how renewable energy can improve energy resilience and reduce exposure to supply and price shocks caused by geopolitical disruptions.
Bowen said Australia’s fuel supplies remain secure and stressed the importance of maintaining strong relationships with international partners to support energy security.
Following his India visit, the minister will travel to Saudi Arabia for talks with Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud. The discussions will cover developments in the Middle East, including the closure of the East-West pipeline and its potential implications for global energy markets.
In Saudi Arabia, Bowen is also scheduled to visit the Centre of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Storage Technologies at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. The visit will focus on the role of electrification, renewable energy and storage technologies in future energy security.
Bowen said Australia’s engagement with international partners was important for strengthening energy security at home and abroad. He also linked the discussions to Australia’s role in leading negotiations at COP31.
The minister said the situation in the Middle East made international cooperation on energy and fuel security increasingly important to Australia’s national interests.
