Switched On

Nuclear power is gaining momentum around the globe, but the industry’s path has diverged. China and India are rapidly expanding conventional reactor fleets, while the US and Europe are betting on smaller and more advanced designs to overcome decades of cost overruns and delays. Rising AI electricity demand, energy security concerns and decarbonization goals have all renewed interest in nuclear energy. But turning that momentum into new projects will depend on whether the industry can build reactors faster, more cheaply and with greater confidence than it has in recent decades. On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by joined by Stephanie Diaz, a senior associate from BloombergNEF’s technology and innovation team, and Chris Gadomski, BNEF’s head of nuclear research, to discuss their note “Nuclear Power Market Outlook 1H 2026: Approaches Diverge.”
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 Power Market Outlook 1H 2026: Approaches Diverge - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39881
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/39767
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/39679
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/39557
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/39741
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.