Kate Hardin

Artificial intelligence’s unprecedented power demand poses an opportunity for investors and acquisition targets, but structural constraints in the power and utilities market ask for careful, highly focused risk-managed strategies. That's among the findings in Deloitte's report on 2025 merger-and-acquisition (M&A) activity in the power sector titled “Who Will Own the Power?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and electricity rely on large and fast-growing infrastructures. Staking an infrastructural lead in powering AI can have an impact on technology leadership, competitiveness and national security. US AI dominance, in part, requires energy security to undergird the buildout of data centers, of grid capacity to power them, and of a manufacturing base to supply both.

As we enter 2025, the oil and gas industry is at a critical juncture. The past year has been marked by a complex interplay of controlled OPEC+ supply, variable demand, and geopolitical tensions. Despite these challenges, the industry has shown remarkable resilience, reflected in the stability of oil prices and robust financial performance. As we look ahead, several key trends are poised to shape the industry’s trajectory, driving growth and innovation.