Rob West

Rob West, founder and CEO of Thunder Said Energy, shares his insights from Estonia on the energy transition. He criticizes the use of S-curves to forecast growth in new energy tech, arguing they oversimplify real-world dynamics. The conversation touches on the recent sell-off in clean energy stocks and the challenges they face. West explores AI’s expected doubling of electricity demand and emphasizes the critical role that solar energy plays. He also spotlights natural hydrogen's potential as the next energy gold rush and discusses the bottlenecks posed by power grids.

Rob West, Founder and Lead Analyst at Thunder Said Energy, shares his insights on the current state of energy transition. He discusses the need to move beyond catastrophe avoidance to embrace aspirational energy visions. Government subsidies and their effects on energy innovation are explored, along with the impact of AI on efficiency. Geopolitical shifts, particularly around Estonia, highlight the challenges in energy markets. Rob critiques existing policies impacting low-income populations, advocating for energy abundance and innovative solutions for sustainable development.

Rob West, founder and CEO of Thunder Said Energy, shares his insights on energy trends leading to 2026. He discusses the possible shift in focus from net zero ambitions to power security and AI, alongside a bullish outlook for LNG demand driven by rising coal costs. Rob explores the potential growth in global oil demand, the increasing need for grid-enhancing technologies, and the role of electrification in meeting rising electricity loads. Additionally, he evaluates backup power options for home outages, comparing costs and effectiveness.