What does the COVID-19 recovery mean for where we source our energy, and how we use solar, nuclear, wind, gas and oil?

The pandemic has brought harsh realities to bear in the energy industry. With the world grinding to a halt, demand for energy collapsed. Low demand means low prices, meaning profits dry up for producers.

But there are winners among the many losers, even during the pandemic. It is an unanswered question as to whether life will get back to normal, go back better, or simply change form. Or go back to the old ways. But most energy watchers believe the short, sharp shock will ultimately be for the best.

Merchant power plants that sell to all comers, rather than being under contract, have suffered the most. That is particularly true of older, inefficient units. They have seen demand oscillate wildly and have experienced greater supply disruption for their raw materials themselves.

Meanwhile, oil extraction has had to contend with a twin collaps