In an interview with Arab News following her participation at the BMG Economic Forum 2026 at the London Stock Exchange, Dr. Carole Nakhle, CEO of Crystol Energy, discussed how geopolitical uncertainty is reshaping energy systems and investment decisions. She argued that businesses and investors should focus less on predicting the next crisis and more on building adaptable strategies that can withstand disruption.
Dr. Nakhle explained that the global debate around the energy transition has become more pragmatic. Early expectations that renewable energy could rapidly replace fossil fuels underestimated the scale, complexity and cost of transforming the global energy system. Rather than pursuing substitution, she highlighted the importance of complementarity, with hydrocarbons, renewables and cleaner technologies all contributing to a more balanced and resilient energy mix.
She also stressed that energy security depends on more than production capacity. Recent geopolitical tensions have demonstrated the importance of infrastructure that can transport energy safely and reliably to markets. Resilient supply routes, networks and supporting assets are therefore becoming as important as the availability of energy resources themselves.
Dr. Nakhle pointed to Saudi Arabia as an example of how hydrocarbon revenues can support broader energy diversification. Investments in solar power, hydrogen, carbon capture and storage are helping the Kingdom create a more balanced domestic energy mix while contributing to the wider global transition. Her comments reinforced the need for realistic policies and investment strategies that recognise the continuing role of different energy sources.
Related Analysis
“Crisis without collapse: The Middle East oil shock“, Dr Carole Nakhle, Apr 2026
Related Comments
“Pace of oil supply recovery in focus amid US-Iran deal“, Dr Carole Nakhle, Jun 2026
“What is driving oil price volatility?“, Dr Carole Nakhle, Jun 2026
