Capital Clash: Clean Energy vs Fossil Fuel Finance
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/summit/.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
--------
38:58
--------
38:58
The Business of Breathing Life Into Old Wind Turbines
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.
--------
37:14
--------
37:14
Deep Freeze Risk Raises Stakes for Europe’s Gas Supply
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.
--------
28:33
--------
28:33
Wired for the Future: Reinventing the US Power Grid
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/summit/.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
--------
36:29
--------
36:29
How Data Centers Are Fueling a Global Copper Crunch
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.
The future of energy, transport, sustainability and more, as told by BNEF analysts. Each week, Dana Perkins and Tom Rowlands-Rees sit down with BloombergNEF (BNEF) analysts to uncover the key findings and stories behind their latest research.
New Zealand