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.
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Global Investment in Clean Energy Outpaces US Slump
Despite the gloomy headlines in the US, global investment into clean energy technologies is still rising. The first half 2025 saw a record $386 billion flowing towards clean tech, a 10% rise from the same period last year. Yet despite the continuing rise in investment numbers, the devil lies in the details. For instance, solar was propelled by small-scale installations, while utility-scale investment waned. And the regional investment picture is fragmented, with declines in investment figures in the US possibly indicating capital reallocation to other markets. On today’s show, Dana Perkins talks with the BloombergNEF’s Head of Clean Energy, Meredith Annex, about her team’s note “2H 2025 Renewable Energy Investment Tracker: Record High.” 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: 2H 2025 Renewable Energy Investment Tracker: Record High - https://www.bnef.com/insights/37317See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Data Centers Could Supercharge US Gas Demand
Artificial intelligence needs power, and lots of it. If all the data centers in the current US pipeline get built, they could suck up the electricity from 100 nuclear power plants and still be left wanting more. One obvious solution for supplying this massive demand is natural gas, which is plentiful and cheap in the Lower 48, and now has the enthusiastic backing of the Trump administration. But with a global shortage of turbines and lucrative liquefied natural gas contracts competing for supply, gas generation faces an obstacle course rather than a smooth road to running the country’s data centers. On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees talks with BloombergNEF gas market analyst, Henry Eaton, about his recent note “Fueling the Cloud: Data Centers’ Bond With US Gas.” 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: Fueling the Cloud: Data Centers’ Bond With US Gas - https://www.bnef.com/insights/36619See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Renewables Bruised, Not Broken, by US Policy Shift
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act has reshaped the US clean energy landscape. Designed to scale back major US decarbonization programs while promoting fossil fuels, the OBBBA has severely restricted the rollout of solar, wind and energy storage projects while also taking direct aim at electric vehicles. The impact of the new law has been dramatic, but could it have been worse? And what does the whiplash between presidential administrations mean for the feasibility of future investments in the US? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees talks with BloombergNEF’s head of country and policy research, Ethan Zindler, who also previously worked as climate counselor to former US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. Joining them is senior policy associate for North America Derrick Flakoll, and together they discuss recent BNEF notes including “One Big Bill, Many Impacts for US Energy Economy” and “New US Clean Energy Tax Rules Could Have Been Worse.” 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: Trump Signals Deeper Cuts to Clean-Tech Factory Subsidies - https://www.bnef.com/insights/37297 New US Clean Energy Tax Rules Could Have Been Worse: React - https://www.bnef.com/analyst-reactions/t11xthgp9vd100 Trump Slams the Brakes on US Wind and Solar Growth - https://www.bnef.com/insights/37073 One Big Bill, Many Impacts for US Energy Economy - https://www.bnef.com/insights/37051See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Direct Air Capture’s Cost Curve Conundrum
Right now, there are technologies that can pull carbon dioxide directly out of the air. That could be a critical tool in a world where climate change is rampant. Yet to fulfill this carbon removal potential, the sky-high costs of direct air capture need to fall. Today, capturing a metric ton of carbon dioxide with DAC costs around $900 on average, presenting a huge challenge to scaling the technology when there are more affordable alternatives available. So what is the cost outlook for direct air capture, and which technology type offers the most financially viable means of growth? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by Brenna Casey, an associate on BNEF’s sustainable materials team, to discuss findings from her report “Out of Thin Air: The Cost of Scaling Direct Air Capture”. 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: Out of Thin Air: The Cost of Scaling Direct Air Capture - https://www.bnef.com/insights/37093See 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.
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