Switched On

Episodet

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  Gas Is Letting Data Centers Grow Beyond the Grid 23.07.2026 28min

  Artificial intelligence is heating up the race to build data centers, and with BloombergNEF projecting 194 gigawatts of demand by 2035, the biggest challenge isn't computing power…. It's electricity. Faced with years-long grid connection delays, developers are turning to on-site gas generation to bring projects online faster, creating a rapidly expanding market for turbines, engines, fuel cells and battery storage. Choosing the right technology is a trade-off between speed, cost, efficiency and emissions. And while on-site generation is often seen as a temporary bridge, developers are also weighing what role those assets could play once permanent grid connections become available. So is on-site gas generation a lasting part of the AI data center boom, or simply the fastest route through today’s power constraints? On this episode, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by Musfika Mishi, an analyst from BNEF’s technology and innovations team, to discuss her note “Data Center On-Site Gas Power Costs: Engines Beat Turbines.” 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: Data Center On-Site Gas Power Costs: Engines Beat Turbines - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39767See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  AI’s Edge in Hurricane Forecasting: Analyst Reaction 20.07.2026 15min

  Artificial intelligence is beginning to transform weather forecasting. New AI models are proving remarkably accurate at predicting hurricane tracks, in some cases matching or outperforming traditional forecasting models while delivering faster results. For energy markets, those gains could be significant. Earlier and more accurate forecasts give utilities, LNG exporters and offshore operators more time to prepare for approaching storms, improving resilience and reducing disruption. Yet AI is unlikely to replace traditional forecasting anytime soon, with meteorologists increasingly using it alongside conventional models to improve confidence in critical decisions. So how is AI changing the way we predict hurricanes, and what could that mean for energy markets as extreme weather becomes more common? On today’s show, Kamala Schelling is joined by Ryan Ward, an associate from BNEF’s weather team, to discuss his note “AI Models Show Edge in Tropical Cyclone Prediction.” 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 Models Show Edge in Tropical Cyclone Prediction - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39679See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Mexico's Energy Future Sits Between Two Superpowers 16.07.2026 37min

  Mexico is entering a pivotal period for its energy system. A new wave of reforms is opening the door to greater private investment in clean power, storage and grid infrastructure after years of subdued activity, creating one of the region's largest energy transition opportunities. The shift comes against a complex geopolitical backdrop. As negotiations over the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement continue, Mexico is balancing its deep integration with North American supply chains against a desire to diversify investment, strengthen energy security and reduce its dependence on imported US natural gas. At the same time, the country is building on its role as a manufacturing hub for technologies ranging from electric vehicles to transformers. So why does Mexico matter to the energy transition now, and what opportunities could emerge as the country reshapes its energy system? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by BloombergNEF Latin America associate, Stephan Mothe, to discuss his note “Mexico Transition Factbook 2026.” 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: Mexico Transition Factbook 2026 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39557See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  How Bitcoin Could Save Texas From an AI Power Crunch 09.07.2026 33min

  Texas is becoming a test case for one of the biggest questions facing electricity markets. As AI-driven power demand for data centers accelerates, grid operators are exploring whether large loads can do more than consume electricity – and instead become a source of flexibility when the power system is under stress. The answer depends on the workload. Cryptocurrency mines have already demonstrated they can respond quickly to wholesale prices, while AI and colocation data centers face much stricter reliability requirements. New policies are now pushing large data centers to demonstrate operational flexibility, even as developers weigh options such as on-site generation and demand response. So can flexible data centers help manage the next wave of electricity demand? And what can Texas teach the rest of the world about building power systems for the age of AI? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by BloombergNEF US power analyst Lara Kammen and senior associate Nathalie Limandibhratha, to discuss findings from the note “Data Center Flexibility to Relieve Power Prices in Ercot.” 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: Data Center Flexibility to Relieve Power Prices in Ercot - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39741See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  China Bets Big on Green Hydrogen: Analyst Reaction 06.07.2026 26min

  China is emerging as the standout exception in the global hydrogen market. While many countries are scaling back ambitions, Beijing has set a new target to increase green hydrogen production eightfold by 2030, a level that could make it the world's largest producer and account for roughly half of BloombergNEF's projected global output that year. The strategy is about more than decarbonization. China sees green hydrogen as a way to strengthen energy security, reduce reliance on imported oil and gas, and build on its manufacturing leadership in technologies such as electrolyzers. Yet major technical and commercial challenges remain, with many projects still struggling to compete economically and developers treating the current wave of investment as a learning phase. So why is China doubling down on green hydrogen, and what could its strategy mean for the future of the global hydrogen industry? On today’s show, Kamala Schelling is joined by BloombergNEF hydrogen specialist Xiaoting Wang, to discuss her note “China Seeks Green Hydrogen Lead With Eightfold Growth.” 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: China Seeks Green Hydrogen Lead With Eightfold Growth - https://www.bnef.com/analyst-reactions/th8md3kjh6v400See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The Hidden Economics of EV Charging Networks 01.07.2026 36min

  What does it take to build an electric-vehicle charging network that really works? As EV adoption accelerates, charging operators are shifting from installing as many chargers as possible to designing networks that can reliably attract drivers, manage grid constraints and generate sustainable returns. At the same time, retail partnerships, on-site batteries, battery swapping and dedicated charging for commercial fleets are reshaping the economics of the sector. On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by Madeleine Brolly and Ash Wang, two of BloombergNEF’s EV charging analysts, to review findings from their note “Public Charging Utilization 2026: Demand Keeps Rising” and discuss how EV charging must evolve as clean cars become an ever greater part of the global energy system. 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: Public Charging Utilization 2026: Demand Keeps Rising - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39379See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Battery Boom Is Upending Australian Power Market Rules 24.06.2026 38min

  Australia is becoming a proving ground for the future of electricity markets. With renewables now supplying a large share of generation and batteries being deployed at unprecedented scale, the country is offering an early look at how power systems operate when storage becomes a central part of the grid. Yet batteries’ remarkable success in the country brings with it new challenges, as growing competition begins to erode the arbitrage opportunities that drove the sector’s early growth. So what happens when batteries move from a niche technology to a core part of the power system, and what can Australia’s experience teach the rest of the world? On today’s show, Kobad Bhavnagri is joined by  joined by Sahaj Sood, an associate from BNEF’s Australian research team, to review findings from his notes “Australia Energy Storage Update 2026: Arbs and Flows” and “Batteries Supercharge Australia’s Solar and Wind Economics.” 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: Australia Energy Storage Update 2026: Arbs and Flows - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39303 Batteries Supercharge Australia’s Solar and Wind Economics - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39135See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Defending the Power Grid in an Age of Digital Threats 18.06.2026 34min

  As power grids become more digital and interconnected, they are also becoming more exposed. Utilities are facing a growing mix of physical and cyber threats, from attacks on substations to increasingly sophisticated efforts to infiltrate the systems used to monitor and operate the grid. Smart meters, distributed energy resources and connected devices are creating new vulnerabilities, while AI has the potential to both strengthen defenses and lower the barrier to more complex attacks. Yet security spending remains difficult to prioritize, forcing utilities and regulators to weigh uncertain risks against other pressing investment needs. So how should the power sector think about grid security, and what does resilience look like in an increasingly connected energy system? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by Hayley Lai, an analyst from BNEF’s grids team, to discuss findings from her note “Physical and Cyber Threats Reshape US Grid Investment.” 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: Physical and Cyber Threats Reshape US Grid Investment - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39285See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  How Super El Niño Hits Power Markets: Analyst Reaction 15.06.2026 18min

  El Niño has officially arrived, and there are concerns this time that the weather phenomenon might be more intense than most years, a so-called “super” event. With Pacific Ocean temperatures now exceeding the threshold for one of the strongest forms of the weather pattern, the risk of prolonged heat, drought, low wind and other disruptive weather events is rising across multiple regions at once. For commodity and power markets, that can mean greater volatility, from wind droughts in Europe and hydropower stress in the Nordics to shifting hurricane risks in the US. Yet El Niño can also ease pressure in some markets, influencing winter temperatures, rainfall patterns and energy demand in ways that are not always straightforward. So what does a super El Niño mean for commodities, power markets and energy systems, and where are the biggest risks likely to emerge? On today’s show, Kamala Schelling is joined by BloombergNEF’s weather analysts, Jess Hicks and Ryan Ward, to discuss some of their team’s notes, including “Weather and Commodities: Summer Outlook 2026 Marks El Niño” and “Atlantic Hurricane Outlook 2026: El Niño Lowers Count.” 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: Atlantic Hurricane Outlook 2026: El Niño Lowers Count - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39663 Weather and Commodities: Summer Outlook 2026 Marks El Niño - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39615 AI Models Show Edge in Tropical Cyclone Prediction - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39679  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Heat Pumps and the Economics of Clean Heating 11.06.2026 38min

  Heat pumps are at a crossroads. After a decade of growth, global sales fell in 2025 as weaker construction activity weighed on key markets. Yet the longer-term picture remains resilient. Heat pumps have continued to gain ground against fossil fuel heating in several regions, while Europe remains a focal point for adoption, shaped by a shifting mix of subsidies, energy prices and consumer demand. So what is driving heat pump uptake today, and what will determine whether electrified heating can move into the mainstream? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by Yara van Ingen, an associate from our building decarbonization team, to discuss her note “Heat Pump Market Outlook 2026: Blip, Not Bust.” 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: Heat Pump Market Outlook 2026: Blip, Not Bust - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39389See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  What Explains the Growing Divide Between Oil and Gas 04.06.2026 35min

  Gas and oil are on a sharply divergent path. In BloombergNEF’s Economic Transition Scenario, oil demand peaks before the end of the decade, while gas demand continues to grow as expanding power systems seek reliable sources of generation. At the same time, constraints on everything from gas turbine supply chains to grid infrastructure are emerging as critical bottlenecks. So how does the global energy system evolve from here, and what do these competing pressures reveal about what lies ahead for the energy transition? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by Ian Berryman, BloombergNEF’s head of energy systems modeling, to discuss findings from the New Energy Outlook 2026. 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: New Energy Outlook 2026 - https://www.bnef.com/flagships/new-energy-outlook Executive Summary - https://about.bnef.com/insights/clean-energy/new-energy-outlook/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  China Data Signals Clean Tech Shift: Analyst Reaction 01.06.2026 21min

  China’s latest export data is offering an early glimpse into how higher fossil fuel prices may be reshaping trade in clean energy technology. Shipments of solar products, batteries and electric vehicles rose sharply in recent months, with some of the strongest growth coming from emerging markets that are heavily exposed to oil and gas imports. The figures arrive as many fuel-importing economies face renewed pressure from elevated energy prices. While it remains too early to draw firm conclusions, the data provides some of the clearest evidence yet that energy security concerns may be feeding through into clean-tech demand. So are rising fossil fuel prices beginning to accelerate the energy transition, and where could the next wave of clean-tech growth emerge? On today’s show, Kamala Schelling is joined by Antoine Vagneur-Jones, BNEF’s head of trade and supply chains, to discuss his note “China Clean-Tech Exports Trend Up Amid High Oil Prices” and “Energy Transition Supply Chains Outlook 2026.” 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: China Clean-Tech Exports Trend Up Amid High Oil Prices - https://www.bnef.com/analyst-reactions/tfcdnwt9njlu00 Energy Transition Supply Chains Outlook 2026 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39531See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Wind Power Expands as Competition Heats Up 28.05.2026 36min

  The wind industry is entering a new phase of scale. Offshore installations are set to surge in 2026 as a new generation of massive projects comes online, while onshore markets continue expanding across the globe. But the picture beneath those headline numbers is increasingly nuanced. Offshore developers are still grappling with supply chain bottlenecks, higher financing costs and policy uncertainty, even as governments accelerate deployment in the name of energy security and rising power demand. At the same time, Chinese manufacturers are rapidly expanding internationally, intensifying competition across global turbine markets. So where does the wind industry go next, and how are developers, manufacturers and governments adapting to a more competitive and fragmented market? On today’s show, Dana Perkins is joined by BloombergNEF’s head of wind research, Oliver Metcalfe, to discuss some of his team’s recent research including “Offshore Wind Market Outlook 1H 2026: New Era of Scale” and “Wind Turbine Orders in 2025: Chinese Firms Capture 34%.” 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: Offshore Wind Market Outlook 1H 2026: New Era of Scale - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39491 Wind Turbine Orders in 2025: Chinese Firms Capture 34% - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39261See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Japan Nuclear Revival Reaches Tokyo: Analyst Reaction 26.05.2026 12min

  Japan’s journey back to nuclear power is entering a new phase. Fifteen years after the Fukushima disaster and the shuttering of the country’s nuclear fleet, the return of the Kashiwazaki Kariwa 6 reactor marks the first restart in the Tokyo power region and one of the most significant additions since 2011. The timing is critical. Japan remains heavily reliant on imported LNG, leaving its power prices exposed to global gas shocks and disruptions from the war in the Middle East. Nuclear restarts are increasingly being seen as a way to strengthen energy security, reduce fuel imports and ease pressure on power prices. So what role can nuclear realistically play in Japan’s power system, and how much further can the country’s restart program go? On today’s show, Kamala Schelling is joined by Mariko O’Neil, BNEF’s head of APAC power, to discuss her note “Nuclear Comeback to Ease Tokyo Power Price War Premium.” 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: Nuclear Comeback to Ease Tokyo Power Price War Premium - https://www.bnef.com/analyst-reactions/tdkvktt96osk00See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Hydrogen Moves From Hype Cycle to Hard Economics 20.05.2026 38min

  Hydrogen’s place in the energy transition is changing. After years of hype around its role in reaching net zero, many projects have been delayed or canceled as costs remain high, policy support weakens and demand proves slow to materialize. Yet hydrogen is far from disappearing. Industries already consume vast amounts of the molecule today, and sectors such as fertilizers, refining and potentially steelmaking still have few viable alternatives for deep decarbonization. At the same time, countries like China and India continue to push ahead with deployment and industrial policy support. So after the hype cycle, where does hydrogen actually make economic sense in the energy transition? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by Martin Tengler, BloombergNEF’s head of hydrogen research, to discuss some of his department’s recent work, including “No, Iran War Won’t Boost Clean Hydrogen – Except in China” and “Hydrogen Supplier Market Shares 2026: US Blue in the Lead.” 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 Lifted by AccelerateEU, But Expect No Miracles - https://www.bnef.com/analyst-reactions/tdxp93kk3ny800 Clean Hydrogen Production Assets Update - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39161 No, Iran War Won’t Boost Clean Hydrogen - Except in China - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39077 Hydrogen Supplier Market Shares 2026: US Blue in the Lead - https://www.bnef.com/insights/38839See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  BNEF Tier 1 Lists: The Mark of Credibility 13.05.2026 24min

  BloombergNEF’s Tier 1 lists have become a defining feature of the clean energy industry. Built on real project deployment data, they track which manufacturers’ products are actually being used in large, recently financed projects, offering a transparent way to navigate markets crowded with hundreds of suppliers. That simplicity has made the lists highly influential, but being on (or off) the list doesn’t tell the full story about product quality or risk. So what do these lists really reveal about the industry, and how should they be used in practice? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by Jenny Chase, lead solar analyst at BNEF, to discuss the Tier 1 lists’ genesis, their application, and why they help us understand the “Wild West” of the energy transition. 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: BNEF Energy Storage Tier 1 List 2Q 2026 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/33123 Company Ranking: Tier 1 PV Module Makers - https://www.bnef.com/insights/10610 Company Ranking: Tier 1 Power Inverter Makers - https://www.bnef.com/insights/32073See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Data Centers and the Future of Energy Storage 07.05.2026 31min

  The AI boom is ushering in a new era for energy storage. As data center buildout accelerates, batteries are evolving from short-duration backup tools into larger, more flexible systems that can help bring facilities online faster and manage complex power needs. In the US in particular, a growing pipeline of projects is emerging, with batteries increasingly paired with on-site generation or used to smooth demand and unlock faster connections to the grid. So how are data centers changing the energy storage market, and what role could these systems play in the power grid of the future? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by, Caitilín McManus, a technology and innovation associate at BloombergNEF, to discuss her recently released note “Data Centers’ Energy Storage Ramp Up: Project List Grows.” 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: Data Centers’ Energy Storage Ramp Up: Project List Grows - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39221  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Energy Strategy in an Era of Global Fragmentation 30.04.2026 24min

  Middle powers are navigating a more fragmented global order. As tensions rise between major economies, the countries caught in between are being forced to rethink how they manage trade, security and economic ties. Energy is at the center of that shift. Reducing reliance on imported fuels is becoming a strategic priority, with electrification and domestic clean energy seen not just as climate solutions, but as tools of resilience and sovereignty. So how are these countries adapting to a more uncertain world – and what does that mean for the future of the energy transition? This episode features a conversation between Malcolm Turnbull, the 29th prime minister of Australia, and Kobad Bhavnagri, BNEF’s global head of strategy. Titled “Energy Transition in a Multipolar World: The Middle Power Perspective,” this discussion was recorded live at the 2026 BNEF Summit New York. To learn more about our Summits and to listen to more interviews, please visit https://www.bnef.com/eventsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Hormuz Delivers an Aluminum Shock: Analyst Reaction 27.04.2026 10min

  Severe disruption in the Strait of Hormuz is rippling far beyond oil markets. Around 10% of global aluminum supply is tied to the Middle East, and with exports constrained, prices are surging and supply chains are tightening. The impact will extend across the global economy as aluminum is used from cars and electronics to construction, meaning higher prices can quickly feed through to everyday goods. While the shock may not change long-term supply outlooks, it is creating near-term shortages, and exposing vulnerabilities across multiple stages of the supply chain. So how does a regional conflict translate into a global materials crunch, and what does it mean for the energy transition? On today’s show, Kamala Schelling is joined by BloombergNEF’s head of metals and mining, Kwasi Ampofo, to discuss notes including “Industrial Metals Monthly: Supply Risks Rise on Iran War.” 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 Metals Monthly: Supply Risks Rise on Iran War - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39205/view Transition Metals Outlook 2025 - https://www.bnef.com/flagships/transition-metals-outlookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Nuclear Fusion Powers Up for Commercial Breakthrough 22.04.2026 32min

  Fusion energy is entering a new phase. After decades as a scientific pursuit, the sector is attracting billions in private and public capital, with big tech, oil companies and governments all racing to bring the first commercial plants online. Advances in areas like superconductors, materials and computing are opening new pathways, while surging demand for reliable, clean power, particularly from data centers, is accelerating momentum. But the landscape remains uncertain, with multiple competing technologies, ambitious timelines and no clear winner. So how close is fusion to commercial reality, and which approaches are most likely to deliver first? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by BloombergNEF’s lead nuclear analyst, Chris Gadomski, to discuss his note “Fusion Investment Pursuing Commercial Viability.” 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: Fusion Investment Pursuing Commercial Viability - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39071See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.