Everybody in the Pool Special episode: The future of energy from RE+
Sep 15, 2025
Ray Henger, CEO of Copia Power, and Pedro Pizarro, President & CEO of Edison International, delve into the energy landscape's future. They discuss surging energy demands driven by AI and the resulting challenges for grid reliability. The duo shares insights on permitting hurdles and siting strategies for large-scale renewables. They emphasize the need for streamlined processes and flexible planning to meet electrification goals while balancing sustainability and reliability, shedding light on what it takes to adapt to rapid changes in energy needs.
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Surge In Electricity Demand
- Edison International observed load forecasts rise ~35% in two years, forcing a 200% increase in anticipated resource additions.
- Pedro Pizarro says electrification, manufacturing return, and AI/data centers are driving unprecedented demand growth.
Gas As A Short-Term Enabler
- Ray Henger says the industry expected a fast all-renewables endgame but now needs interim gas to enable massive solar build-out.
- He frames gas as a short-term enabler to retire coal and scale renewables responsibly.
Clean Firm Resources Matter
- Edison International's Reaching Net Zero analysis accepts gas may be needed midterm while clean, firm alternatives scale up.
- Pedro lists geothermal, nuclear, and gas with carbon capture as potential clean firm resources.