Switched On

Data centers are expanding at an unprecedented rate, and their need for fast, reliable electricity is reshaping power generation plans across the US. Grid bottlenecks and delivery timelines are tipping the balance between gas and renewables. And while clean energy remains central to long-term strategy, speed to power is becoming a decisive factor in short-term plans. As utilities race to serve AI-driven demand, how will the future mix of gas, renewables, and 24/7 clean energy evolve? On today’s show, Kamala Schelling talks with Atin Jain, a specialist from BNEF’s wind team, to discuss his Analyst Reaction “NextEra’s AI-Led Gas Pivot Leaves Space for Renewables.” 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: NextEra’s AI-Led Gas Pivot Leaves Space for Renewables: React - https://www.bnef.com/analyst-reactions/t70aepkjh6v400See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Commodity markets are in a period of upheaval. Wars, sanctions and political shifts have already rewired global trade, and a new wave of pressures is coming into focus. A liquefied natural gas glut is looming, China is rapidly expanding its biofuel production, the global copper market is facing a supply crunch, and US military actions in Venezuela have thrown a new wild card into the mix. With so many forces pulling in different directions, which trends are set to define commodity markets in the year ahead? On today’s show, Tom Rowands-Rees is joined by David Doherty, BloombergNEF’s head of natural resources research, and Enrique Gonzalez, head of US gas, to discuss findings from the note “Commodities in 2026: 10 Numbers to Watch From Power to Oil.” 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: Commodities in 2026: 10 Numbers to Watch From Power to Oil - https://www.bnef.com/insights/38261See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What the recent US action in Venezuela means for global oil markets is still an open question. While the prospect of additional oil is drawing interest, high production costs, infrastructure constraints and political risk complicate any near-term jump in Venezuela’s oil output. As markets weigh the scale and speed of a potential comeback, how much could Venezuela really move the needle in a global oil system already facing a glut of crude? On today’s show, Kamala Schelling talks with David Doherty, BNEF’s head of natural resources research, to discuss some of his team’s recent analyst reactions, including “Venezuela’s Oil Market Impact Hinges on Cost Per Barrel” and “Venezuela’s Oil Renaissance Faces Several High Hurdles.” 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: Venezuela’s Oil Market Impact Hinges on Cost Per Barrel: React - https://www.bnef.com/analyst-reactions/t8giodkjh6v600 Venezuela’s Oil Renaissance Faces Several High Hurdles: React - https://www.bnef.com/analyst-reactions Trump’s Venezuela Move Could Shift Crude Flows Back to US: React - https://www.bnef.com/analyst-reactions/t8dsuukk3ny800 US Action in Venezuela and the Commodity Markets - https://www.bnef.com/themes/t8fw2ut96osi00See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The push toward a lower-carbon global economy ran into strong headwinds last year, and 2026 offers little sense of a clean reset. Political uncertainty, uneven policy support and slower progress in some markets continue to complicate the outlook for climate-focused investors and companies. Yet beneath the noise, the energy transition is still advancing, driven by economics, technology and long-term structural change. As global priorities and pathways diverge, what does progress really look like for the energy transition? On today’s show, BNEF’s Deputy CEO Albert Cheung reads his recent note, titled “Progress Despite Fragmentation: Energy Transition to 2030,” in which he explores how the global context has changed, and why the energy transition is set to continue growing through this decade. 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: Progress Despite Fragmentation: Energy Transition to 2030 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/38367See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maritime shipping is a notoriously tricky sector to decarbonize, yet options for a greener industry are slowly emerging. Bio-LNG is helping clean up fuel tanks. New ship-building and navigational techniques, from advanced hull coatings to smarter routing, are making a dent in emissions. And new European rules are pushing ship owners toward cleaner options. Yet with a myriad of competing incentives – and no global consensus – how far can alternative fuels and efficiency gains really take maritime shipping on its long road to decarbonization? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees speaks with Fauziah Marzuki, BloombergNEF’s global head of gas, and Nikolas Soulopoulos, BNEF’s head of commercial transport. Together they discuss some of their teams’ research, including “Marine Fuel Costs to 2040 – Oil to Biofuels and Beyond” and “Global Shipping’s Net-Zero Framework Delay a Worst Option: React.” 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: Marine Fuel Costs to 2040 - Oil to Biofuels and Beyond - https://www.bnef.com/insights/37781 Global Shipping’s Net-Zero Framework Delay a Worst Option: React - https://www.bnef.com/analyst-reactions/t4ac8igoymtc00  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK’s latest budget sends mixed consequential signals for electric vehicles. A sharp increase in purchase subsidies is paired with plans for a new pay-per-mile charge, reshaping the economics of EV ownership as adoption accelerates. The changes could affect drivers very differently, depending on mileage, charging access and whether vehicles are privately owned or part of company fleets. As fuel tax revenues fade and public charging costs stay high, the UK is testing what it means to move from encouraging EV uptake to living with electric mobility at scale. On today’s show, Kamala Schelling is joined by Madeleine Brolly from BNEF’s EV charging team and Shananthan Kalaichelvan from BNEF’s EV team, to discuss their Analyst Reaction “UK Makes EVs Cheaper to Buy But More Expensive to Run.” 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: UK Makes EVs Cheaper to Buy But More Expensive to Run: React - https://www.bnef.com/analyst-reactions/t6drndt9njlw00See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global metals markets are shifting faster than anyone expected. Once projected to face widespread shortages, most key energy transition metals now show far more balanced outlooks. Surpluses are pushing battery metal prices down and accelerating the adoption of new chemistries, while demand for steel, copper and aluminum strengthens across clean energy infrastructure. Yet slow mine development, production caps, and rising geopolitical risks are creating new uncertainties. From batteries to transmission lines to electric-vehicle bodies, what do these changing metals dynamics mean for the future of the energy transition? On today’s show, Tom Rowands-Rees is joined by Kwasi Ampofo, BloombergNEF’s head of metals and mining, to discuss findings from the “Transition Metals Outlook 2025.” 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: Transition Metals Outlook 2025 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/38151See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heavy industry faces one of the hardest paths to net zero, yet momentum is starting to build. New decarbonization commitments reached nearly $15 billion by mid-2025. The largest chunk of investment is concentrated in the steel industry, where electric arc furnaces and hydrogen-ready technologies are already pushing down emissions. Other sectors, like aluminum, cement and plastics, are experimenting with recycled materials, electrified heat and bio-based feedstocks. Policy is also proving decisive, with Europe, Australia and Asia pushing carbon border tariffs, retrofit funds and industrial carbon markets. So is heavy industry finally turning a corner on its path to decarbonization? On today’s show, Kobad Bhavnagri is joined by Allen Tom Abraham, BloombergNEF’s head of sustainable materials, to walk through his team’s note “Industrial Decarbonization Market Outlook 2H 2025.” 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: Industrial Decarbonization Market Outlook 2H 2025 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/38051/viewSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China’s electric vehicle market is moving at extraordinary speed. Generous incentives, trade-in subsidies, and aggressive pricing have fueled mass-market growth, and roughly half of the cars sold in the country today come with a plug. Now, this EV success story is moving beyond its domestic borders. Chinese brands already account for nearly one in five EVs sold outside the country, and new factories across Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America are helping them stay ahead of trade barriers. Could this be the moment when China’s electric mobility clout reshapes the global auto industry? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by Siyi Mi, a senior associate on BloombergNEF’s electric vehicles team, to discuss notes including “More of China’s Automakers Step Into Overseas Markets” and “EVs Are Just the Start for Global Carmakers’ China Rebound.” 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: More of China’s Automakers Step Into Overseas Markets - https://www.bnef.com/insights/38069 EVs Are Just the Start for Global Carmakers’ China Rebound - https://www.bnef.com/insights/37181See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As vehicles become increasingly intelligent and connected, the chips powering them are transforming the automotive industry. Traditional supply chains are giving way to new partnerships, and advanced processors are reshaping everything from vehicle costs to the balance of power between automakers and chipmakers. With automation advancing and chipmakers taking a larger role in vehicle development, could this be the moment that redefines how the automotive industry is built? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by Andrew Grant, BloombergNEF’s head of intelligent mobility, to discuss the note, “AI Chips Are Turning Vehicles Into Supercomputers.” 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: AI Chips Are Turning Vehicles Into Supercomputers - https://www.bnef.com/insights/37555See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How well prepared are we for a warming world? Climate adaptation is quickly moving from theory to strategy, reshaping investment priorities and exposing new risks and opportunities. On this bonus episode, Kobad Bhavnagri reads his note “Adaptation and Resilience: The New Investment Imperative” to explore how businesses, policymakers and financiers are adapting to a changing climate, and where the biggest gaps in knowledge and action remain. 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: Adaptation and Resilience: The New Investment Imperative - https://www.bnef.com/insights/37701See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Climate is reshaping the global economy. Losses from major weather events are now estimated at $1.4 trillion each year, and as the damaged assets, disrupted supply chains and declines in productivity pile up, climate risk is turning from an environmental issue into a financial one. BloombergNEF has thus developed an Adaptation Preparedness Framework to assess how major economies are preparing for this new reality. Which countries are best equipped to withstand what’s coming, and how are they getting there? On today’s show, Kobad Bhavnagri is joined by Danya Liu, a senior associate on BloombergNEF’s climate risk team, and Natasha Mawdsley, a strategy analyst, to discuss their note, “Ranking Resilience: Assessing Country Climate Adaptation.” 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: Ranking Resilience: Assessing Country Climate Adaptation - https://www.bnef.com/insights/37695See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 85 million medium- and heavy-duty trucks on the road last year were responsible for nearly a 10th of global emissions, and an array of technologies and business models are in trial as a way to cut these vehicles’ carbon footprint. A lack of charging infrastructure and high upfront prices remain high hurdles to clear. Yet China boasts record e-truck and e-tractor sales, Europe offers them considerable policy support, and even in the US (where sales are slow) the charging market is evolving quickly. From ports in Shanghai to freight corridors in California, could cleaner trucking prove the real test of how fast heavy industry can decarbonize? On today’s show, Dana Perkins is joined by BloombergNEF’s head of commercial transport, Nikolas Soulopoulos, and associate Maynie Yang to discuss their team’s recent notes, “Zero Emission Commercial Vehicles: Accelerating the Transition” and “Commercial Vehicle Decarbonization Monthly: E-Tractors.” 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: Commercial Vehicle Decarbonization Monthly: E-Tractors - https://www.bnef.com/insights/37859 Zero Emission Commercial Vehicles: Accelerating the Transition - https://www.bnef.com/insights/37519See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hydrogen was once the golden child of the energy transition. Yet high costs and limited policy support proved high hurdles for the technology’s progress, global deployment has fallen well short of expectations. Forecasts now project around 5.5 million tons of production by 2030 – half of what was expected just a few years ago and far below industry and government ambitions. Of course, as with all things energy transition, the story gets more complicated the closer you look. The US is betting on blue hydrogen even as it turns away from many clean technologies, China is driving ahead with green, and India is emerging as a low-cost producer. And around the world, hydrogen is gradually gaining a foothold in hard-to-abate sectors like shipping and aviation, where the fuel could play a transformative role. On today’s show, Kobad Bhavnagri is joined by BloombergNEF’s head of hydrogen research, Martin Tengler, to discuss some of his team’s recent work, including “Hydrogen Supply Outlook 2025: Blue Takes the Lead” and “Ammonia Supply Outlook 2025: Tenders Shape Demand.” 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: Hydrogen Supply Outlook 2025: Blue Takes the Lead - https://www.bnef.com/insights/37489?context=eyJ0eXBlIjoiaW5zaWdodCIsInNvcnQiOiJkYXRlIiwicmVnaW9uIjpbXSwic2VjdG9yIjpbXSwiYXV0aG9yIjpbIjQwMjc3Il0sImluc2lnaHQtdHlwZSI6W119 Ammonia Supply Outlook 2025: Tenders Shape Demand - https://www.bnef.com/insights/37457?context=eyJ0eXBlIjoiaW5zaWdodCIsInNvcnQiOiJkYXRlIiwicmVnaW9uIjpbXSwic2VjdG9yIjpbXSwiYXV0aG9yIjpbIjQwMjc3Il0sImluc2lnaHQtdHlwZSI6W119See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a few days’ time, world leaders will gather in Brazil for the COP30 climate conference. It’s been 10 years since the Paris Agreement laid out ambitions for a net-zero future, yet momentum is waning. Fewer than a third of nations have submitted their 2035 climate pledges, and current trajectories suggest that the global warming threshold agreed in Paris will be far exceeded by the end of the century. Political shifts, economic pressures, and the US’s withdrawal from the Agreement are all casting a shadow over the upcoming negotiations. Still, there are glimmers of progress, including China unveiling its first absolute emissions target and Brazil pushing for a global carbon market. So can COP30 reignite the collective drive toward net zero? On today’s show, Kobad Bhavnagri is joined by BloombergNEF’s head of global policy, Victoria Cuming, and energy transitions associate Brynne Mary Merkley to discuss their recent note “COP30 Climate Talks to Advance Amid Geopolitical Turmoil.” 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: COP30 Climate Talks to Advance Amid Geopolitical Turmoil - https://www.bnef.com/insights/37817See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global energy investment is entering a period of realignment. Tariffs, inflation and geopolitical tensions have disrupted financial models, while a backlash against ESG along with renewed fossil fuel demand, driven partly by AI’s power needs, are redirecting capital flows. At the same time, electricity demand continues to rise, intensifying competition between clean and conventional energy. So how can investors and banks determine where their best opportunities lie, whether in clean technologies or fossil fuels? At the BloombergNEF Summit London, Jonathan Luan, BNEF’s head of finance & investment research, moderated a panel titled “Weighing the Investment Opportunity: Conventional Versus Clean Energy.” This episode brings listeners that panel, which featured Ulrik Fugmann, Co-CIO, Environmental Strategies Group at BNPP Asset Management; Ralph Ibendahl, Managing Director, Global Head of Energy Transition for RBC Capital Markets; and Bianca Ziccarelli, Managing Director of CPPIB. To learn more about BNEF’s Summits taking place around the world and to see recordings of BNEF Talks at previous Summits, head to https://about.bnef.com/events/type/summit/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first generation of wind turbines is now approaching retirement. Developers across Europe, the US and China thus find themselves at a crossroads: should they refurbish and extend the life of existing wind fleets, or dismantle them and build new projects from scratch? Wind technology has evolved considerably over the last 20 years, maintenance costs can be steep, and new projects generally boast bigger turbines with far greater capacity. However, the dismantling of older projects incurs significant costs, the regulatory approval process for new projects can be intricate, and the disposal of turbine components often presents an environmental and logistical challenge. On today’s show, Dana Perkins is joined by co-host Kobad Bhavnagri, BloombergNEF’s global head of strategy. Together, they speak to Oliver Metcalfe, BNEF’s head of wind research, about the research note “Wind End of Life 2025: Global Repowering Surges by 2035.” 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: Wind End of Life 2025: Global Repowering Surges by 2035 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/37547See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winter is coming, and with it a rise in demand for natural gas. With growing liquified natural gas exports from the US now crossing the Atlantic and filling European storage, the continent looks to be well prepared for the coming winter. However, BloombergNEF weather analysts are forecasting that this winter could be a cold one, with the possibility of reduced wind speeds eating into turbine generation, piling even further pressure on natural gas reserves. So just what impact could these unfavorable weather conditions have on gas commodity prices, and with the “third wave of liquefied natural gas” set to flood global markets, could we be facing an upcoming supply glut? On today’s show, Dana Perkins talks with BNEF weather analyst Jess Hicks and gas team senior associate Olympe Mattei-D’Ornano about the note “European Gas Winter Outlook 2025-26: Final Crunch?” 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: European Gas Winter Outlook 2025-26: Final Crunch? - https://www.bnef.com/insights/37391 Weather Shifts Stir Europe’s Power Markets - https://www.bnef.com/insights/37673See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US power grid is under mounting strain from aging infrastructure, slow interconnections and regional bottlenecks, while demand, complexity and variability are on the rise. Building a future-ready grid will require major investment, smarter infrastructure and policy reform. So just what can be done to expand transmission capabilities to meet oncoming energy challenges in the US? At the BloombergNEF Summit Houston, Ethan Zindler, BloombergNEF’s head of country and policy research, moderated a panel “Revolutionizing the Grid.” This episode brings listeners that panel, which featured Page Crahan, general manager of Tapestry at X, Alphabet; Michael Skelly, co-founder and chief executive officer of Grid United; Frank Kreikebaum, senior vice president and chief of engineering at Smart Wires; and Rina Harris, vice president of strategic business growth and engagement at CenterPoint Energy. To learn more about BNEF’s Summits taking place around the world and to see recordings of BNEF Talks at previous Summits, head to https://about.bnef.com/events/type/summit/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Copper is a cornerstone of the world’s infrastructure. From transportation to the energy transition to massive new data centers, demand for the metal is everywhere, and supply is feeling the crunch. Copper demand is forecast to outstrip supply by 6 million metric tons a year come 2035, but at the same time, market economics are limiting exploration and some mines are even closing up shop. So who is going to win, and who may lose out, in the global battle for a limited critical resource? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees talks with Rosemary Katz, a senior associate from BNEF’s metals and mining team, about her note “Tracking Copper in Data Centers 2025-2035: Supply Crunch.” 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: Tracking Copper in Data Centers 2025-2035: Supply Crunch - https://www.bnef.com/insights/37209See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.