Morten Wierod, ABB, on the Shift from Energy Transition to Energy Expansion

The energy transition is increasingly becoming an energy expansion, as electrification, industrial growth and AI-driven demand accelerate the need for reliable electricity. In this episode, Morten Wierod, CEO and President of ABB, joins Atul to discuss how rising power demand is reshaping priorities for grids, infrastructure and industrial systems worldwide.

The conversation highlights why grid resilience is emerging as a national security issue, illustrated by the 2025 blackout in Spain and Portugal that left 65 million people without power. As electricity becomes more central to economic activity, reliable grids are now critical infrastructure priorities.

Key topics:

• The shift from energy transition to energy expansion as electricity demand accelerates
• Grid resilience as a national security priority in an increasingly electrified world
• Energy efficiency as a hidden hero, with potential savings exceeding 10% of global electricity consumption
• Electrification, AI-driven demand and automation reshaping industrial energy systems