As the year draws to a close, I want to wish you all a happy and healthy 2025. 

Despite challenging headlines, 2024 delivered extraordinary wins in our clean energy transition. But first, better stock up on espresso and cocoa now. Coffee and cocoa prices are poised to climb in 2025, and anyone trading — or observing — energy and commodity markets into the new year will need caffeine to survive.

As this year ends, some predictions for the energy space in the New Year:

• POWER Magazine says utilities will wrestle with regulatory uncertainty, knowing that emissions standards and the permitting process for energy projects will likely see considerable change when the new administration takes over.
   
• Deloitte Consulting says AI data centers are leading the corporate shift toward renewable energy sources, solar and wind capacity contracted to U.S. data centers has grown to nearly 34 GW through 2024, representing close to half of all renewables contracted to corporations in the United States, and could reach 41 GW by 2030.
   
• S&P Global says nuclear energy is making a comeback, Microsoft Google and Amazon all signed power purchase agreements in 2024 totaling more than three gigawatts (GW) tied to nuclear capacity to help feed growing demand from datacenters. While UK's Rolls-Royce SMR program accelerated by AI integration. 

My take on 2024's lesson: The convergence of AI, nuclear innovation, and renewable energy is accelerating climate solutions beyond expectations.