Electricity is the New Oil: The Trades Powering the Next Energy Boom

MAY 21, 202658 MIN
In the Money with Amber Kanwar

Electricity is the New Oil: The Trades Powering the Next Energy Boom

MAY 21, 202658 MIN

Description

Global electricity demand is growing more than twice as fast as overall energy demand, according to the International Energy Agency—so how should investors be positioned to capitalize on this explosive shift?On this episode of In the Money with Amber Kanwar, Robert Thummel, Managing Director & Senior Portfolio Manager at Tortoise Capital, explains why “electricity is the new oil” and how the rise of AI, data centres, and electrification is driving a once-in-a-generation opportunity across energy infrastructure, natural gas, and power generation. With over 30 years of experience investing through multiple commodity cycles, he lays out why investors should be looking beyond traditional oil producers and instead focusing on the assets powering the next wave of global growth—pipelines, utilities, and natural gas systems with durable cash flows and rising demand.He breaks down why low natural gas prices may actually be bullish, how North America has a structural advantage in the global AI race thanks to cheap energy, and why infrastructure assets—from pipelines to power grids—are becoming increasingly valuable due to their scarcity and stability. He also weighs in on Canada’s opportunity to become a more reliable global energy supplier, the risks around new pipeline construction, and why energy could continue to attract capital as investors rotate out of mega-cap tech and into high free cash flow sectors.In the Mailbag, Thummel shares his take on a wide range of stocks across the energy value chain, including the potential tie-up between NextEra Energy (NEE) and Dominion Energy (D), and what surging electricity demand means for utilities. He discusses infrastructure names like Targa Resources (TRGP) and MPLX (MPLX), breaking down volume growth, dividend sustainability, and why pipeline cash flows remain resilient even in a low gas price environment. He also weighs in on Canadian exposure through South Bow (SOBO.TO), the long-term outlook for Tourmaline (TOU.TO), and whether investors should be buying the dip in Cameco (CCO). Finally, he touches on Xylem (XYL) and why water infrastructure may be a slower—but still durable—long-term theme tied to data centre growth.In Pro Picks, Thummel leans fully into his core thesis that electricity is the new oil. He highlights Vistra (VST) as a direct way to play rising power demand, with exposure to key U.S. electricity markets and a more attractive valuation after a recent pullback. He pairs that with Williams Companies (WMB), a natural gas infrastructure leader benefiting from growing demand and innovative “behind-the-meter” power solutions tied to AI development. Rounding out his picks are natural gas producers EQT Corporation (EQT) and Expand Energy (EXE), which he believes are well positioned for a rebound as global LNG demand tightens supply and pricing improves—setting up the next leg higher for the natural gas trade.Timestamps00:00 Trailer 02:30 Intro 03:50 Electricity is the new oil: focus on natural gas gas & infrastructure 08:00 We’ve learned oil is still relevant 10:00 How does Rob view Canada’s energy infrastructure and the opportunity for Canada 16:30 Interest from generalist investors in energy 19:50 Is the energy sector vulnerable to things like the SpaceX IPO? 21:40 Hamilton ETFs: MIX 23:45 ITM Mailbag: NextEra-Dominin merger (NEE,D) 29:00 Targa Resources (TRGP) 33:00 MPLX (MPLX) 34:50 South Bow (SOBO) 38:10 Tourmaline Oil (TOU)41:00: Cameco (CC)43:00 Xylem (XYL)46:00 Robert’s Pro Picks (VST, WMB, EQT, EXE) 56:20: ETF Minute: BMO Gold ETFs SponsorsFor over 25 years, Raymond James has been helping Canadians achieve their financial goals. Visit https://raymondjames.ca today to discover how you can live a life well planned.Pro Picks is brought to you by ATB Financial.  Visit https://ATB.com/inthemoney for more informationThe mailbag is sponsored by Hamilton ETFs. For more information on the Hamilton Enhanced Mixed Asset Allocation ETF visit:  https://hamiltonetfs.com/etf/mix/ Linkshttps://inthemoneypod.com/ https://instagram.com/inthemoneypodhttps://facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569721774740 https://twitter.com/inthemoneypod https://tiktok.com/@[email protected] The information provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or professional advice.The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any organization or company. The host and guests may maintain positions in any securities discussed on the podcast. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor or professional before making any investment decisions.Hamilton ETFs Disclaimer This podcast is sponsored by Hamilton ETFs.  The information contained herein should not be construed as investment advice or considered as a recommendation to purchase or sell the mentioned securities.The index performance returns are for informational purposes only and are not indicative of the future returns of the ETF. The returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs or expenses. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.Certain statements contained in this podcast may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to a future outlook and anticipated distributions, events or results and may include statements regarding future financial performance. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terms such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend” or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Actual results may vary from such forward-looking information. Hamilton ETFs undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or other such factors which affect this information, except as required by law.Commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investments in exchange traded funds (ETFs) managed by Hamilton ETFs. Please read the prospectus before investing. ETFs are not guaranteed, their values change frequently, and past performance may not be repeated.Source: S&P Global, Solactive AG, Hamilton ETFs. Data from November 18, 2004, to April 30, 2026.The Solactive Hamilton Mixed Asset Index (SOLHAMMA) vs. the S&P 500 Total Return Index with annual compounded total returns and the potential impact of 1.25x leveraged exposure to SOLHAMMA. This is discussed for informational purposes only and intended to demonstrate the historical impact of the indexes compound growth rate. It is not a projection of future index performance, nor does it reflect potential returns on investments in the ETF. Investors cannot directly invest in the index. All performance data assumes reinvestment of distributions and excludes management fees, transaction costs, and...