The artificial intelligence boom is driving an unprecedented surge in electricity demand, putting power grids, energy prices, and emissions reduction under pressure. Malaysia's rapidly expanding data centre industry is requiring the utility TNB to embark on market reforms. While in the United States, energy became a defining issue of the recent mid-term elections including pushback against datacenter development.
It raises an intriguing question: can datacenters and the AI boom also become an unexpected catalyst for the energy transition?
This week, host Jonathan Gifford explores how soaring demand for electricity is impact markets and politics on two continents, speaking with guests from Malaysia and the US.
First, Narendra "Ned" Johl, founder and CEO of Asia Carbon Exchange, joins the podcast from Kuala Lumpur to discuss how Malaysia's emergence as a major regional datacentre hub is forcing a rethink of its electricity sector. With tech giants investing heavily in the country, Johl explains how unprecedented demand is accelerating reforms that open the grid to private renewable energy developers, encourage on-site generation, and drive investment in battery storage.
But can clean energy deployment keep pace with the rapid growth of AI infrastructure? Joel also examines the challenges of financing new projects, the changing role of renewable energy certificates (RECs), and why geothermal power could become increasingly important across Southeast Asia.
Meanwhile, in the United States, the consequences of rising energy costs are playing out at the ballot box.
Solar and battery marketing and PR leader Jessica Fishman examines how soaring energy costs helped shape the historic US midterm election results, turning electricity affordability into a powerful political issue. With Democrats gaining control of Congress, Fishman discusses the prospects for renewed clean energy legislation, a potential revival of Inflation Reduction Act incentives, and reforms that could make solar cheaper and easier to deploy. She also considers what the election results mean for electric mobility, battery manufacturing, and the final two years of the Trump administration.
As AI infrastructure expands and electricity costs become increasingly politically charged, the stakes for the energy transition are rising. Whether governments can turn this pressure into faster renewable energy deployment, rather than deeper dependence on conventional generation, could determine not only the future of clean energy, but also the competitiveness of economies racing to lead the AI revolution.
About The smarter E Podcast
The smarter E podcast is all about the current trends and developments in a renewable, decentralized and digital energy industry. Our host welcomes and interviews personalities who shape our industry and drive developments forward. A new episode is published bi-weekly on Thursdays.
Nirinder Johl, is an electrical engineer, who served Malaysia’s national utility company, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) for more than 36 years. Upon graduation from University Technology Malaysia (UTM), he embarked on a career as an Electrical Distribution Engineer covering the frontline for 15 years in Peninsular Malaysia before migrating to TNB’s Distribution Headquarters to be in charge of its Customer Service Division, constantly engaging and listening to over 9 million customers. He founded AsiaCarbonXChange in 2022, an organization involved in the consultancy and management of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and currently serves as its CEO.
Jessica Fishman is a strategic marketing leader with more than 20 years of marketing and communications experience. Passionate about mitigating climate collapse, Jessica has worked in clean energy marketing for 15 years, with senior roles at SolarEdge, Conergy, and AlsoEnergy. She was also the Renewable Energy Director at communications agency Kiterocket. As a storyteller, Jessica enjoys deconstructing complex technologies to make them understandable. She is particularly interested in leveraging her communication experience in the realm of government relations and policy.