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  • 📈 Electric Upgrades: The ÂŁ21 Trillion Race

📈 Electric Upgrades: The £21 Trillion Race

Electric Upgrades: The ÂŁ21 Trillion Race

February 06, 2025

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This is Cliff Equity, the UK’s business newsletter that keeps you informed on what’s important in tech, business and finance in less than 5 minutes

In today’s stories:

  • Electric Upgrades: The ÂŁ21 Trillion Race

  • Merger U-Turn? Nissan Won’t Be Honda’s Sidekick!

  • UK Economy Stalls, Bank Holds the Keys

The summary: As the world hurtles towards doubling its electricity demand, IONATE is leading the charge with its AI-powered smart grid tech—bagging $17 million, teaming up with energy giants, and turning creaky old networks into future-ready powerhouses.

The details:

  • With global electricity demand set to double by 2050 and ageing grids creaking under the pressure, IONATE is stepping in with its smart grid tech—right in time for a $21 trillion upgrade bonanza.

  • The London deeptech startup just bagged $17 million in Series A funding, led by AlbionVC and backed by big names like In-Q-Tel and Santander InnoEnergy, to power its US expansion and next-gen grid solutions.

  • At the heart of its offering is the Hybrid Intelligent Transformer (HIT)—a Swiss Army knife for power grids, replacing clunky old transformers with AI-driven precision for real-time voltage and energy flow control.

  • Already teaming up with energy giant EDP and even catching NATO’s eye, IONATE is on a mission to modernise the world’s electricity networks—because 20th-century grids won’t cut it in a 21st-century energy landscape.

Why it matters: The world’s appetite for electricity is surging, but much of the grid is on its last legs—cue a multi-trillion-dollar scramble to upgrade. IONATE’s tech turns these ageing networks into smart, AI-powered powerhouses, making energy cleaner, more reliable, and actually fit for the future. With backing from top investors and partnerships with industry giants, they’re not just keeping the lights on—they’re rewiring the entire system for the 21st century.

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The summary: Nissan’s bold decision to ditch Honda’s merger proposal keeps it in the driver’s seat, but with EV headwinds, US tariffs, and Renault watching closely, the road ahead promises plenty of twists and turns!

The details:

  • Nissan has slammed the brakes on merger talks with Honda, reportedly balking at the idea of becoming a subsidiary rather than an equal partner in a $60 billion deal.

  • Investors cheered Honda’s potential exit, sending its shares up 8%, while Nissan’s stock skidded over 4%, forcing a temporary trading halt in Tokyo.

  • Renault, Nissan’s long-time ally, is keeping a watchful eye, vowing to "vigorously" defend its interests, while Mitsubishi—once a potential tag-along—may now sit this one out.

  • With the EV revolution and potential US tariffs looming, Nissan faces a bumpy road ahead in its solo turnaround attempt—will it cruise through or break down?

Why it matters: Nissan’s refusal to play second fiddle to Honda means the dream of a Japanese auto giant to rival Toyota is veering off course, leaving Nissan to steer its own rocky turnaround. Investors clearly prefer Honda to go it alone, but Nissan’s struggles with EVs and looming US tariffs make solo survival a questionable adventure. Meanwhile, Renault is lurking in the rearview mirror, ready to defend its stake—because nothing says “partnership” like a bit of corporate tension.

The summary: The Bank of England’s expected rate cut could give borrowers a breather while juggling the tricky task of keeping inflation in check, all while the economy and global events tiptoe around like a game of financial hopscotch.

The details:

  • The Bank of England looks set to trim interest rates from 4.75% to 4.5%, hoping to breathe life into the UK’s sluggish economy—though inflation remains the ever-fickle guest at the party.

  • Mortgage holders on tracker deals will see a modest ÂŁ29 shaved off their repayments, while savers brace for yet another hit to their already feeble returns.

  • Governor Andrew Bailey insists on a "gradual approach" to cuts, refusing to be pinned down on when or by how much—because why make things easy for us?

  • Meanwhile, the UK economy is barely moving, and with Trump’s tariff antics looming, inflation’s next move is anyone’s guess.

Why it matters: When the Bank fiddles with interest rates, it’s essentially pulling the strings on how much we pay for mortgages, how little we earn on savings, and whether businesses feel brave enough to invest. A rate cut offers a lifeline to borrowers drowning in high costs, but risks giving inflation another excuse to misbehave. With the economy crawling and global chaos brewing (cheers, Trump), the Bank's every move is like a high-stakes game of monetary Jenga—one wrong move, and it all wobbles.