With more than 110 oil tankers and 15 LNG carriers remaining trapped in the Persian Gulf, Birol emphasized that even an immediate ceasefire would not solve the problem, as the infrastructure damage from bombings is so extensive that it will take up to two years for the full restoration of production.
The globe stands on the brink of an energy abyss, with the head of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Fatih Birol, sounding the alarm over an impending collapse that will affect every corner of the planet. In an exclusive interview with the Associated Press, Birol described the current situation as "the greatest energy crisis we have ever faced," as the blockade at the Strait of Hormuz strangles the global flow of oil and gas, threatening to blow up the world economy and send inflation skyrocketing to unprecedented heights.
Six weeks until total chaos in the skies
The most nightmarish prediction from Fatih Birol concerns Europe, which, as he revealed, possesses jet fuel reserves for only six weeks. The Turkish economist warned that if the Strait of Hormuz does not open immediately, city-to-city flight cancellations will become the new, harsh reality, paralyzing transport and tourism across the continent. With more than 110 oil tankers and 15 LNG carriers remaining trapped in the Persian Gulf, Birol emphasized that even an immediate ceasefire would not solve the problem, as the infrastructure damage from bombings is so extensive that it will take up to two years for the full restoration of production.
Geopolitical shadow stifling economic growth
The head of the IEA did not hide his pessimism for the future, noting that "the shadow of geopolitics" has never been so dark or so long. As prices for gasoline, natural gas, and electricity gallop, developing nations in Asia and Africa are expected to take the hardest hit, being driven into a deep recession. Birol concluded with a dramatic appeal to world leaders, pointing out that no state is immune to this crisis and that the free movement of energy is the only lifeline to avoid a global economic Armageddon by the end of May.
Electricity needs to double by 2030 – artificial intelligence devouring the global power grid
The explosive rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is not only changing the way we work but threatens to cause an unprecedented energy heart attack for the planet. Fatih Birol revealed the shocking findings of a new analysis showing that global electricity consumption from data centers skyrocketed during 2025, placing the power grids of the largest economies under extreme pressure.
The doubling of demand and the AI trap
The data released by Birol describes a nightmarish path toward the future. The demand for electricity from data centers is expected to nearly double by 2030, as global infrastructure struggles to keep up with the volume of data. The most worrying element of the analysis concerns specialized data centers dedicated to artificial intelligence, whose energy needs are projected to triple. The enormous computing power required for the training and operation of AI models is turning into an energy "black hole" that threatens to absorb the available capacity of national grids.
Digital giants on the verge of energy suffocation
This dramatic increase in consumption comes at a time when global energy production is already under pressure due to geopolitical tensions and the green transition. Birol is sounding the alarm, pointing out that unless there is an immediate shift toward more efficient technologies and cleaner energy sources, the "digital revolution" risks causing a systemic collapse of electrical grids. Forecasts for 2030 show a world where the battle for a kilowatt will be just as fierce as the battle for technological supremacy, leaving governments in Washington, London, and Brussels facing a dilemma: digital progress or the energy security of their citizens.
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