Powering Arizona’s Future: Key Takeaways from the 2025 E-Mobility & Clean Energy Summit
On June 25, Chambers for Innovation & Clean Energy (CICE) attended the 2025 E-Mobility & Clean Energy Summit in Scottsdale, Arizona. The event brought together clean energy pioneers, government officials, and private-sector innovators to tackle one of Arizona’s most pressing challenges: how to power the state’s economic growth in the face of explosive data demands, workforce needs, and legislative uncertainty.
Hosted by the Arizona Tech Council, the summit kicked off with opening remarks from Brian Sherman, CEO of NSF Futures Engine in the Southwest, an effort led by Arizona State University that is aiming to elevate the region as a national hub for economic development catalyzed by sustainability innovation. His poignant remarks on the strong need for energy production and storage as a means to outpace the growing demand set the tone for a day packed with powerful insights and urgent calls to action.
The message was clear: Arizona’s energy needs are skyrocketing, and meeting that demand requires bold, innovative, and collaborative solutions.
Key takeaways for Arizona’s business leaders:
Arizona’s energy consumption is projected to grow by 40% in just five years, driven by surging demand from data centers, AI infrastructure, and rapid statewide growth.
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has already delivered $12B in economic impact and 19,000 clean energy jobs in Arizona alone. However, 69,000 jobs are at risk if proposed changes to federal clean energy tax credits move forward, in addition to challenging the state’s ability to meet projected growth.
To meet future demand, Arizona will need not just generation, but long-duration energy storage—cited as a top goal by both Salt River Project (SRP) and Arevon, one of America’s leading independent power producers.
A national shortage of electricians (estimated at 500,000) could be a major barrier to clean energy deployment—underscoring the need for workforce investment now.
One of the most impactful moments came during Cleantech Markets Beyond Cars, a panel featuring thought leaders from Purity ReSource, the Arizona Governor’s Office of Resilience, SRP, Arevon, and WattEV. Their discussion highlighted the growing ecosystem beyond electric vehicles—where innovation in freight electrification, energy storage, and grid resiliency is gaining speed.
This summit served as a clear reminder: clean energy is not just about sustainability—it’s Arizona’s economic engine. Continued support for tax credits, workforce development, and infrastructure investment is critical if we want to stay competitive, meet energy demands, and ensure resilience in the years ahead.