Renewable energy demand rise to hike copper, silver prices: expert

Rising demand for renewable energy is expected to push up copper and silver prices, as both metals are widely used in the sector.

With the Strait of Hormuz blocked, oil prices have surged, while efforts to shift toward renewable energy have gained momentum, particularly in import-dependent countries in Asia and Europe.

Uncertainties over energy supply security are affecting short-term pricing, prompting economies worldwide to seek ways to reduce their dependence on oil through renewable energy.

Zafer Ergezen, a futures and commodities expert, told Anadolu that there was already strong demand for renewables before the war.

That demand has surged significantly since the war, especially in the Asia-Pacific region and particularly in China, he said.

China's consistent investment

Ergezen noted that Beijing has made consistent efforts to diversify its energy sources, by investing in the world’s largest nuclear energy capacity.

“China’s nuclear energy investments are at a level that will create a massive gap with its closest competitor, and the same applies to the renewable energy sector,” he said.

“China has always been aware of this and now we’re seeing the trend toward renewable energy worldwide within sustainability efforts.

“We’re already seeing rising copper demand and silver demand, so I think the impact of this will intensify even further after the war,” he added.

Wind energy for Middle East

Ergezen stated that renewable energy demand will spread to developing countries, with the demand for solar panels, wind turbines, and wind power plants potentially rising in the Middle East.

“It should be noted that the artificial intelligence (AI) field also has a massive energy demand,” he said, which is expected to bring significant new investments in renewable energy to ease supply pressures.

“The outbreak of the US and Israel’s war with Iran showed just how much trouble oil-based energy causes worldwide -- we saw a similar scenario with the Russia-Ukraine War and the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

“In general, countries will make moves to boost the demand for renewable energy as part of sustainability efforts, reduce their energy dependence and diversify their fossil fuel-based energy needs, consequently boosting copper and silver prices,” he added.

*Writing by Emir Yildirim