Intelligence connected: how integration is driving the future of energy
Oct 21, 2025
What began as a straightforward transition narrative with renewables replacing fossil fuels, has evolved into an energy system which spans 250 emerging technologies across multiple interconnected value chains.
Despite record renewable capacity additions and electric vehicle growth, oil demand will climb from 104 million barrels daily this year, with the continued resilience for oil stemming from heightened energy security concerns, Western discomfort with Chinese cleantech dominance, and a staggering US$3.5 trillion annual investment shortfall for low-carbon infrastructure.
The supply crunch looms large
The development of commodity markets, such as low-carbon hydrogen and carbon trading, is likely to see rapid growth in the 2030s and beyond. Critical minerals essential for electrification, particularly copper and lithium, face prolonged demand.
Sustained investment across supply-related sectors will be crucial to meet future demand. This varies from US$72 trillion in Wood Mackenzie’s delayed energy transition scenario (DETS), a 3°C pathway, to US$78 trillion in our base case 2.5°C pathway, and US$117 trillion if net-zero by 2050 is achieved.
Complexity replaces simplicity
Green hydrogen projects compete with data centres for renewable electricity. Critical mineral shortages ripple through automotive and storage sectors.
European companies must maintain decarbonisation momentum amid economic pressures and amid aggressive diversification strategies, US policy reversals, and Chinese competition.
The intelligence imperative
Comprehensive scenario analysis requires months to synthesise data across business units. Many companies still operate with siloed thinking, analysing individual market segments without understanding how they interact, influence each other, and respond to external pressures as a unified system.
Renewable, grid and storage investment jumped from US$755 billion in 2015 to US$1.027 trillion in 2023, while thermal investment fell from US$134 billion to US$106 billion.
Evolution, not revolution
As energy demand continues to grow, the world will need to increase supply each year. Low-carbon technologies add another string to the systemic bow, enriching the mix. What we are witnessing is an ‘energy evolution’ that will play out gradually and which has already led to an energy mix that is far more diverse than it was at the start of the 21st century.
Companies positioning themselves for success recognise that traditional sector-focused analysis cannot navigate today’s complexity. When every decision carries significant implications for investment returns and business performance, the ability to see and respond to the full picture becomes critical for survival. When supply chains span continents and regulations shift rapidly, integrated intelligence becomes essential.
The survival imperative
Political pressures, technological advances, economic volatility and environmental imperatives continue to reshape market dynamics at unprecedented pace. With billions hanging in the balance and global energy security at stake, companies that thrive will navigate complexity through an interconnected view of the energy landscape.
Energy Connects includes information by a variety of sources, such as contributing experts, external journalists and comments from attendees of our events, which may contain personal opinion of others. All opinions expressed are solely the views of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Energy Connects, dmg events, its parent company DMGT or any affiliates of the same.
