New Global Trends: 5 Opportunities for Businesses

The rise of new global trends: 5 valuable opportunities for companies and society

In recent years, the world has witnessed the emergence of several transformative global trends that are shaping our future. Among them, for example, the growth of renewable energy, electrification, cloudification, data booming, and smartization of systems. These trends are not only revolutionizing industries, but also presenting unprecedented opportunities for companies and society: when harnessed effectively, in fact, they hold the key to building a sustainable and resilient future, addressing environmental challenges, and fostering economic growth.

In an uncertain and complex world, it is essential to understand the direction of changes and turn them into opportunities for growth. In this article, we will explore these trends and how they offer immense potential for the near future.

1. Growth of renewables

As the energy transition progresses, there will be a gradual phasing out from fossil fuels in favor of sustainable sources of energy, such as wind, solar and hydro power. In order to reduce CO2 emissions and tackle climate change, ever more ambitious economic plans are being prepared internationally to support these renewable sources. Estimates expect them to cover 70% of global electricity generation by 2050, which is more than double the current figure of 30%. This is the reason why renewable energy sources are gaining significant momentum worldwide, and also the reason why governments and companies need to keep investing in renewable energy infrastructures in order to avail themselves of the opportunities - both environmental and economic - brought by the energy transition.

2. Electrification

The electrification of various sectors, meaning the growth of electricity as the main source of power, is another key global trend that’s becoming more and more important lately: population growth, the steady increase in electricity consumption - stemming from new habits, such as the use of electric vehicles and heat pumps - and the proliferation of energy-intensive telecommunication infrastructures, are just some of the drivers that will cause electricity consumption to rise by 25% by 2030. And these numbers also align with sustainability objectives. Suffice to think about the rise of electric vehicles, with major automakers increasingly committing to a future dominated by electric mobility, a trend that will help to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution and dependence on finite fossil fuel resources.

3. Cloudification

By the term cloudification we mean the migration of applications run on local servers to web-based solutions. The need for more and more cloud capacity is contributing to an exponential increase in the number of data centers, which are becoming ubiquitous. These centers - annual investment in which will exceed US$ 300 billion by 2030 - need an enormous quantity of power cables to operate them, as well as telecom cables to transport data and content, representing a big opportunity for Prysmian Group. Already, the world’s data centers collectively consume more than 300 TWh per year, which is the equivalent of a country like Italy.

Cloud represents one of the most important latest developments in technology as rapid access to computing resources enabled companies to optimize their operations, improve scalability, and reduce overall costs. The transition to the cloud therefore appears to be a great opportunity for businesses to become more competitive in the market.

4. Data booming

Meaning the exponential growth of data consumption, data booming is a phenomenon which will require further major development of fixed and mobile networks. This exponential increase in data consumption will be evident by 2030, due to the greater quality and quantity of the infrastructure that carries it. It is estimated that much more than two-thirds (85%) of the world’s homes will have a fibre broadband connection (FTTx) by 2030.

Moreover, the exponential growth of data has ushered in a new era of innovation and decision-making, representing a major opportunity for businesses: as organizations collect and analyze vast amounts of data, in fact, they gain valuable insights into consumer behavior, market trends, and operational efficiency.

5. Smartization

Smartization represents the fifth global trend that is revolutionizing the world, driven by the growth in the use of advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence and automation in everyday life. The growth of technologies and in the speed of data transfers has facilitated the development of remote monitoring, tracking and control systems. Costs are expected to fall even further (for example, the cost of bandwidth is 40 times lower than in 2010) and new solutions (like autonomous driving) will be developed. Smart cities, smart grids, and smart homes are becoming a reality, offering unprecedented opportunities to optimize processes and management, boost sustainability and enhance the quality of life.

These five global trends - growth of renewables, electrification, cloudification, data booming and smartisation - represent a paradigm shift in our approach to daily life. These interconnected phenomena offer immense opportunities for companies to innovate, grow, and contribute to a sustainable future. Simultaneously, they benefit society by addressing environmental challenges, improving quality of life, and fostering economic prosperity. Embracing these trends will not only position companies at the forefront of progress but also pave the way for a more sustainable and resilient future for all.

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