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E82: Watts the Problem?

Research @ Citi Podcast  •  Podcast  •  June 29, 2026
Research

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • The global power grid faces immense strain stalling approximately 2,500 gigawatts of renewable energy storage and data center projects highlighting critical infrastructure challenges for sustainable growth
  • Grid expansion is hampered by regulatory hurdles, labor shortages, and volatile demand from data centers necessitating innovative solutions like "Bring Your Own Generation" (BYOG) to ensure reliable power supply
  • Natural-gas turbines are favored for BYOG due to reliability, with significant backlogs. Global strategies vary with the U.S. focusing on natural gas Europe on renewables and China on grid expansion to meet future energy demands.

Overcoming Gridlock 2.0: Solving Power Bottlenecks to Drive AI & Energy Security

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Rob Rowe and Tony Yuen discuss the challenges with improving power grids, from accommodating soaring demand and incorporating new technologies to navigating labor issues and overcoming regulatory hurdles. How are different regions approaching this challenge, and what does the future hold?

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Rob Rowe is the Head of Citi Research’s Global Strategy & Macro Group (GSMG) as well as the Global Head of Citi Research. GSMG unites all of Citi’s Economists with Fixed Income, FX, Equity and Commodities strategists to create a common team providing research on the world’s major economies and asset classes. Rob has been with Citi for 35 years in various capacities. He originally joined Smith Barney, Harris Upham & Company in 1989 working in investment banking, fixed income sales, and research. In addition to his overall responsibilities, he continues to provide portfolio strategy for select clients as part of his previous role overseeing the Global Bond Portfolio Analysis team. Rob is a graduate of Hartwick College with a BA in European History and the Theatre. He is also a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

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Anthony Yuen is a Managing Director and Head of Energy Strategy at Citi. He also manages commodities research as the Head of Commodities Strategy, Pan-Asia. He focuses on energy/environmental and energy transition strategies, with expertise in oil, NGLs and natural gas/LNG, power, renewables, and emissions. Before Asia, he was Head of Energy Strategy, based in New York. Prior to joining Citi in 2011, Anthony worked at McKinsey & Company in the Greater China region and Constellation Commodities Group in the US in the strategy and trading functions. He previously held research and teaching positions at the University of Pennsylvania, when he also worked on climate/emissions issues, and was a faculty member of Columbia University. He is frequently invited to speak at major conferences, including those held by the Clean Energy Ministerial, Asian Development Bank, Aspen Institute, Brookings, Carnegie (CEIP), CSIS, IEA/OPEC/IEF, IIF, MIT, US NREL, etc.

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