AFIRE: The Power and Players Behind Economic and Real Estate Development
Powering Future Development: Navigating the New Energy Landscape in Real Estate
As the world enters a new era of electrification, energy is no longer just a utility, it’s the backbone of economic growth, urban development, and the digital future. In the latest issue of AFIRE Summit, National Real Estate Advisors’ President & CEO Jeff Kanne and Head of Research Darob Malek-Madani explore the critical and evolving role of energy in shaping the built environment.
Key Highlights:
- Energy and Economic Growth:
Historically, economic development has been closely tied to energy consumption. While efficiency gains and offshoring once tempered U.S. electricity demand, a new surge is underway, driven by the electrification of industry, the rise of electric vehicles, and the explosive growth of data centers, especially those powering artificial intelligence.
- Complex Utility Landscape:
Real estate developers must navigate a fragmented network of U.S. electric utilities, each with unique structures, regulations, and priorities.
- Rising Demand and Infrastructure Needs:
U.S. electricity demand is projected to rise by 35% over the next decade—outpacing the modest growth of the past 20 years. Data centers alone could double their share of national power consumption, requiring significant investment in grid modernization and new generation capacity.
- Innovative Solutions and Case Studies:
The article examines real-world scenarios that highlight the regulatory, technical, and stakeholder complexities of powering next-generation real estate.
- The Path Forward:
Success in this new landscape demands more than engineering expertise, it requires collaboration, innovation, and a deep understanding of energy markets.
Read the full article in AFIRE Summit Issue 18: Summit Journal | Welcome to Issue #18 – AFIRE