“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” This proverb is just as apt if you swap out “trees” for “grid investment.” Some $326 billion flowed into the world’s power grids in 2023, up 7% from the year before. Yet while investment may be increasing overall, only a few markets align with a net-zero pathway.

On today's show, co-hosts Dana Perkins and Tom Rowlands-Rees are joined by Felicia Aminoff from BNEF’s Grids and Utilities team. They discuss the growing power demand from new data centers, strategies for protecting the grid from extreme weather events, and how grid authorities are addressing a backlog of renewable energy projects waiting for a connection. This episode draws upon BNEF research found in the 2024 Power Grid Investment Outlook and the New Energy Outlook 2024: Grids.

Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com

Links to research notes from this episode:

2024 Power Grid Investment Outlook - https://www.bnef.com/insights/34703/view

New Energy Outlook 2024: Grids - https://www.bnef.com/insights/35211

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” This proverb is just as apt if you swap out “trees” for “grid investment.” Some $326 billion flowed into the world’s power grids in 2023, up 7% from the year before. Yet while investment may be increasing overall, only a few markets align with a net-zero pathway.
On today's show, co-hosts Dana Perkins and Tom Rowlands-Rees are joined by Felicia Aminoff from BNEF’s Grids and Utilities team. They discuss the growing power demand from new data centers, strategies for protecting the grid from extreme weather events, and how grid authorities are addressing a backlog of renewable energy projects waiting for a connection. This episode draws upon BNEF research found in the 2024 Power Grid Investment Outlook and the New Energy Outlook 2024: Grids.
Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF&lt;GO&gt; on the Bloomberg Terminal or on <a href="https://www.bnef.com/">bnef.com</a>
Links to research notes from this episode:
2024 Power Grid Investment Outlook - <a href="https://www.bnef.com/insights/34703/view">https://www.bnef.com/insights/34703/view</a>
New Energy Outlook 2024: Grids - <a href="https://www.bnef.com/insights/35211">https://www.bnef.com/insights/35211</a>

Conversations about global commodity markets and the disruptive technologies driving the transition to a low-carbon economy. Each week, Dana Perkins sits down with different BloombergNEF (BNEF) analysts to discuss their latest research and unique perspective on the future of energy, transport, agriculture, sustainability and more.

Conversations about global commodity markets and the disruptive technologies driving the transition to a low-carbon economy. Each week, Dana Perkins sits down with different BloombergNEF (BNEF) analysts to discuss their latest research and unique perspective on the future of energy, transport, agriculture, sustainability and more.

The future of energy, transport, sustainability and more from Bloomberg analysts

Switched On

The future of energy, transport, sustainability and more, as told by BNEF analysts. Each week, Dana Perkins sits down with BloombergNEF (BNEF) analysts to uncover the key findings and stories behind their latest research.

The future of energy, transport, sustainability and more, as told by BNEF analysts. Each week, Dana Perkins sits down with BloombergNEF (BNEF) analysts to uncover the key findings and stories behind their latest research.

Current Investments: Expanding the World’s Power Grids

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/3b7e7fc9-b9e7-4eb4-8395-b22100933248/transcript

“It looks like coal weather today,” is an unlikely forecast, but it shouldn’t be. Coal production and consumption are linked to weather, and the return of a La Niña weather cycle has the potential to extend the lifespan of coal power assets and influence fuel switching. While peak coal demand is close, near-term drivers point to stagnation rather than a rapid decline. Developed economies are shutting thermal power assets at scale, but China is responsible for 56% of global coal consumption and continues to import and stockpile coal in vast quantities.

On today’s show, Dana is joined by Fauziah Marzuki, BloombergNEF’s Global Head of Gas Markets, alongside Yumi Kim, Power Markets Associate, to discuss key findings from their recent report Coal Outlook: Hot and Cold to 2050.

Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com

Links to research notes from this episode:

Coal Outlook: Hot and Cold to 2050 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/35205

“It looks like coal weather today,” is an unlikely forecast, but it shouldn’t be. Coal production and consumption are linked to weather, and the return of a La Niña weather cycle has the potential to extend the lifespan of coal power assets and influence fuel switching. While peak coal demand is close, near-term drivers point to stagnation rather than a rapid decline. Developed economies are shutting thermal power assets at scale, but China is responsible for 56% of global coal consumption and continues to import and stockpile coal in vast quantities.
On today’s show, Dana is joined by Fauziah Marzuki, BloombergNEF’s Global Head of Gas Markets, alongside Yumi Kim, Power Markets Associate, to discuss key findings from their recent report Coal Outlook: Hot and Cold to 2050.
Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF&lt;GO&gt; on the Bloomberg Terminal or on <a href="https://www.bnef.com/">bnef.com</a>
Links to research notes from this episode:
Coal Outlook: Hot and Cold to 2050 - <a href="https://www.bnef.com/insights/35205">https://www.bnef.com/insights/35205</a>

Burning Issue: Peak Coal Close But Demand Lingers

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/9b01f478-9311-4242-bc32-b22e00a6a677/transcript

Wind is key to tripling global clean energy capacity by 2030, but in recent years both onshore and offshore additions have been blowing cold. The landscape improves as we look ahead to 2030, when BloombergNEF expects annual installations of wind to have risen by a massive 70%. China, which is currently responsible for over a half of all global wind additions, is leading the charge. But now that its massive turbine manufacturing base is looking outside its borders, the picture for equipment exports is about to be shaken up.

On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees speaks with BNEF’s head of Wind Research, Oliver Metcalfe, about key findings from three recent reports: Unlocking Investment to Triple Renewables by 2030, 3Q 2024 Wind Turbine Order Dataset: Volume Surges, and Floating Offshore Wind: Big Potential But Big Price Tag. Together they discuss what it’ll take for wind to grow at the pace required to meet net-zero goals, the threat to western turbine manufacturers posed by rising Chinese exports, and the impact floating wind could have on the offshore market.

Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com

Links to research notes from this episode:

Unlocking Investment to Triple Renewables by 2030 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/34887/view

3Q 2024 Wind Turbine Order Dataset: Volume Surges - https://www.bnef.com/insights/35179/view

Floating Offshore Wind: Big Potential But Big Price Tag - https://www.bnef.com/insights/34913

Wind is key to tripling global clean energy capacity by 2030, but in recent years both onshore and offshore additions have been blowing cold. The landscape improves as we look ahead to 2030, when BloombergNEF expects annual installations of wind to have risen by a massive 70%. China, which is currently responsible for over a half of all global wind additions, is leading the charge. But now that its massive turbine manufacturing base is looking outside its borders, the picture for equipment exports is about to be shaken up.
On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees speaks with BNEF’s head of Wind Research, Oliver Metcalfe, about key findings from three recent reports: Unlocking Investment to Triple Renewables by 2030, 3Q 2024 Wind Turbine Order Dataset: Volume Surges, and Floating Offshore Wind: Big Potential But Big Price Tag. Together they discuss what it’ll take for wind to grow at the pace required to meet net-zero goals, the threat to western turbine manufacturers posed by rising Chinese exports, and the impact floating wind could have on the offshore market.
Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF&lt;GO&gt; on the Bloomberg Terminal or on <a href="https://www.bnef.com/">bnef.com</a>
Links to research notes from this episode:
Unlocking Investment to Triple Renewables by 2030 - <a href="https://www.bnef.com/insights/34887/view">https://www.bnef.com/insights/34887/view</a>
3Q 2024 Wind Turbine Order Dataset: Volume Surges - <a href="https://www.bnef.com/insights/35179/view">https://www.bnef.com/insights/35179/view</a>
Floating Offshore Wind: Big Potential But Big Price Tag - <a href="https://www.bnef.com/insights/34913">https://www.bnef.com/insights/34913</a>

Gone With the Wind: Turbine Additions Still Fall Short

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/62427207-c18f-4da4-9a7b-b22700a8c79b/transcript

Tariffs and subsidies loom large in the energy transition. The US Inflation Reduction Act, or IRA, has been of global importance, changing trade relationships and causing some governments to rethink their domestic policies. The European Union responded by introducing the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA), although it has fewer subsidies and trade barriers than its transatlantic counterpart.

On today’s show, Dana speaks with Antoine Vagneur-Jones and Matthew Hales from BNEF’s Trade and Supply Chains team. As they discuss key findings from the report US Clean-Tech Industrial Policy Leaves EU Behind – For Now, they look at the risks the IRA faces in the upcoming US election, the relative effectiveness of US and EU tariffs, and whether western markets can realistically expect to challenge Chinese manufacturers on cost competitiveness.

Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com

Links to research notes from this episode:

US-Clean Tech Industrial Policy Leaves EU Behind - For Now - https://www.bnef.com/insights/34863

Tariffs and subsidies loom large in the energy transition. The US Inflation Reduction Act, or IRA, has been of global importance, changing trade relationships and causing some governments to rethink their domestic policies. The European Union responded by introducing the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA), although it has fewer subsidies and trade barriers than its transatlantic counterpart.
On today’s show, Dana speaks with Antoine Vagneur-Jones and Matthew Hales from BNEF’s Trade and Supply Chains team. As they discuss key findings from the report US Clean-Tech Industrial Policy Leaves EU Behind – For Now, they look at the risks the IRA faces in the upcoming US election, the relative effectiveness of US and EU tariffs, and whether western markets can realistically expect to challenge Chinese manufacturers on cost competitiveness.
Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF&lt;GO&gt; on the Bloomberg Terminal or on <a href="https://www.bnef.com/">bnef.com</a>
Links to research notes from this episode:
US-Clean Tech Industrial Policy Leaves EU Behind - For Now - <a href="https://www.bnef.com/insights/34863">https://www.bnef.com/insights/34863</a>

Catch Me If You Can: EU Trails US On Clean-Tech Policy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7c5dd27e-7243-45ce-b63f-b21900a8bfb6/transcript

Current Investments: Expanding the World’s Power Grids

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