The energy investment story is changing rapidly. The GCC is moving from a model centred on state ownership and hydrocarbon revenues towards one in which governments increasingly monetise existing energy infrastructure, recycle capital and bring global private capital directly into strategic assets. At the same time, the growth of gas, LNG, power generation, renewables, storage and data-centre demand is creating a new generation of infrastructure opportunities.
Recent transactions illustrate the shift: Kuwait's $16 billion lease-and-leaseback of its oil pipeline network with Blackstone, Brookfield and KKR is the country's largest-ever foreign direct investment, while KKR has expanded its partnership with ADNOC through its gas-pipeline assets. Saudi Arabia has similarly been bringing international infrastructure capital into its energy system, including the $11 billion Jafurah gas infrastructure transaction with a consortium led by GIP and BlackRock.
The panel will examine how the energy-infrastructure investment model is evolving, where global private capital can participate alongside Gulf energy companies and sovereigns, and whether the GCC is becoming one of the world's most important markets for long-duration infrastructure capital. It will also look at the opportunities emerging from power demand, gas, LNG, grids, renewables, storage and the infrastructure required to support AI and industrial growth.
