“We cannot dismiss any source of energy. We have to take a clear view, a clear stance, a clear understanding that we keep promoting and advocating for every form of energy that will be required – with the provision that we have to do everything we can and invest, to preserve the climate, and reduce emissions”.
More than 30,000 people from 100 countries are expected to converge on the white-collar heart of Canada’s oilpatch this week for the Global Energy Show, which is to kick off with a keynote address from the head of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.
OPEC secretary-general Haitham al-Ghais is set to deliver remarks on Tuesday morning, as recent output increases from his group’s members and other producers have put pressure on global crude prices.
Among the other speakers are 20 chief executives from major Canadian and international energy companies and several political leaders, including Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.
Energy show organizers say Calgary is expecting a 30 per cent increase in hotel bookings for the conference and trade show, and that exhibition space has been increased by one fifth year-over year.
Nick Samain, senior vice-president at DMG Events, said as of two weeks before the event, pre-registrations were 78 per cent higher than last year.
He says the show is seeing a big turnaround since the oil bust of 2015 and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There’s a sense of optimism that the show really hasn’t had in a long time,” Samain said in an interview.
The conference comes as U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff war throws global trade into disarray, raising the prospect of a global downturn that could dampen energy demand.
The trade strife has driven calls for Canada to diversify its export markets for its energy products beyond its biggest customer, the United States, and remove some of the logjams that have prevented infrastructure from being built over the past several years. Prime Minister Mark Carney has promised to speed up and simplify the regulatory process for projects deemed in the national interest.
Samain said the show is an opportunity for people to hash out competing views about Canada’s energy future.
“We’re just big proponents of people meeting face to face,” he said. “We find when people get together at an event like this, it really does (give) the opportunity for people maybe to see a different perspective.”
A week after the Global Energy Show, another major event drawing dignitaries from abroad is to take place in a popular recreation area in the Rocky Mountains an hour west of Calgary.
Canada is to host leaders from the United States, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, Italy and the European Union at the G7 summit from June 15 to 17 in Kananaskis.
Source: EnergyNow