Climate Tech

U.S. federal policy is redirecting billions in loans toward fossil and nuclear energy, while local communities increasingly block solar and data center projects. Despite domestic gridlock, international markets in the EU and China have reached milestones where renewables are displacing fossil fuels, and private capital continues to flow into deep-tech energy startups. Notable Insights: • AI infrastructure requires massive capital outlay beyond chips; every $1 billion spent on data centers necessitates an additional $125 million in power infrastructure investment. • Russian state-sponsored group Sandworm targeted the Polish electric grid with a new wiper malware designed to sever communications between renewable energy sites and power distribution operators. • Lithium prices are rebounding after a crash to $10 per kilogram in late 2024, supported by China's 75% share of global battery demand and increasing needs for stationary grid storage.