Bangkok: 'Gastech 2026,' a major energy exhibition, is set to open, attracting C-Level executives from around the world to revitalize Bangkok and support regional demand and investment. The event will take place from September 14-17, 2026, at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC), and is expected to attract over 50,000 participants from more than 150 countries, fostering opportunities for business collaboration, investment, and international energy project development.
According to Thai News Agency, the Ministry of Energy (MOE), in collaboration with the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and DMG Events, along with leading global energy industry partners, is preparing to host 'Gastech 2026,' a global conference and exhibition focusing on natural gas and LNG, low-carbon solutions, hydrogen, maritime and marine industries, power systems, and AI for the energy sector. This event will serve as a platform for the global energy industry to expand cooperation, accelerate investment, and promote technologies and solutions essential for developing a secure, accessible, affordable, and sustainable energy system, supporting economic growth, and reinforcing Thailand's role as a hub for energy cooperation in Southeast Asia.
Mr. Ekanat Promphan, Minister of Energy, stated that given the rapidly increasing energy demand in Asia, strengthening regional cooperation, investing in infrastructure, and building long-term partnerships are crucial to supporting the rapidly changing needs of billions of people across the region. Gastech 2026 will be a strategic platform bringing together energy leaders from around the world to jointly shape the future energy system, which is the foundation for long-term energy security, economic growth, and industrial development in Asia.
Christopher Hudson, President of DMG Events, stated that the global energy market is rapidly changing, resulting in a continuously increasing demand for stable energy. Simultaneously, the growth of AI and increased electricity consumption are creating new demands and energy usage patterns. Gastech provides a platform for leaders from government, energy, technology, utilities, and investment to meet and exchange perspectives, fostering collaboration, investment, and tangible projects. Given the region's growing energy demand, Bangkok is a key destination for this discussion aimed at driving regional energy initiatives.
Asia is currently emerging as a major global energy hub. Urbanization, digital transformation, and the rapid growth of AI are driving industrial development, infrastructure, and data centers, resulting in a dramatic increase in the region's energy demand. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), in 2024, over 80% of global energy demand growth will come from emerging and developing economies. Global electricity demand is projected to grow by 4.3%, and global data center power consumption is expected to nearly double between 2025 and 2030. Global energy investment in 2025 is projected at approximately US$3.3 trillion (around 108 trillion baht). This year's Gastech event features over 800 speakers, more than 200 conferences, and 18 specialized programs, delving into the energy systems, technologies, and investments essential for the future.
The Gastech event includes a Strategic Conference where energy ministers, policymakers, and representatives from international organizations exchange views and consider policies, cooperation, and investment frameworks necessary to support global growth. These discussions cover energy security, supply diversification, infrastructure development, and regulatory cooperation, as well as the role of energy in driving and ensuring economic stability for both developing and developed countries.
Gastech also brought together senior executives from the energy sector throughout the supply chain for a leadership forum, providing an opportunity for CEOs and senior executives from the business sector to discuss collaboration, investment, and infrastructure development to support increasing energy demand, technological changes, and complex energy security challenges. The forum was led by Dr. Narin Paovanich, Governor of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), and Dr. Kongkrapan Intarajong, CEO and President of PTT Public Company Limited, along with executives from leading global energy organizations such as Petronas, INPEX, Woodside Energy, ExxonMobil, Chevron Global Gas, and others.
One of the new highlights of this year's event is the Electrification Strategic Conference Programme, held jointly with EGAT (Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand). This program delves into technologies, evolving electricity demand, and essential investment approaches necessary to develop a stable and reliable electricity system, supporting competitiveness and achieving carbon reduction targets. This is all amidst increasing electricity demand driven by industrial expansion, digital infrastructure, and AI, through the presentation of approaches that various countries can apply to develop resilient power grids while simultaneously increasing electricity generation capacity to meet demand.
In addition, the Global Energy Regulators Forum will be held, bringing together regulatory agencies, policymakers, and industry leaders to discuss ways to develop a clear regulatory framework that will facilitate infrastructure investment, accelerate innovation, and support a secure, reliable, and affordable energy system. Meanwhile, the Japan Energy Programme will delve into Japan's LNG strategic adjustments, electricity demand trends, and energy security issues, as well as their impact on Asian and global energy markets.
This year also saw the launch of AixEnergy, a new platform held in conjunction with Gastech. This brought together leaders from the energy, technology, and investment sectors to exchange perspectives and explore key opportunities from the collaborative network between AI and the energy sector. This network covers everything from securing power to support rapidly expanding data center infrastructure to applying AI to enhance the efficiency, resilience, and operational effectiveness of energy systems.
Gastech 2026 will also provide a showcase for technologies and innovations from leading energy organizations worldwide, connecting energy producers and suppliers, buyers, utilities, project developers, investors, and technology providers from various countries. This will enable strategic discussions across all sectors, leading to business opportunities, investments, and international collaborations. The gathering of all stakeholders throughout the energy supply chain will facilitate the conversion of these discussions into tangible business and investment agreements, building upon the success of Gastech 2025, which facilitated over US$60 billion in business and investment deals, highlighting the event's role as a platform for promoting investment and collaboration in the global energy industry.
This year's event is a collaboration between TCEP (Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau) as the main event partner, Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Shell as co-hosts, and EGAT (Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand), PTT (Public Company Limited), and Gulf Development Public Company Limited as national partners. RATCH Group Public Company Limited (RATCH), Electricity Generating Public Company Limited (EGCO), and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) are also national sponsors.