Colin Wessells is the founder and co-CEO of Natron Energy, a company developing sodium-ion batteries to power clean technologies. Sodium, being more abundant and cost-effective than lithium, enables sodium-ion batteries to bolster battery supply chains and accelerate the energy transition. Under Wessells’ leadership, Natron has become the first – and only – commercial sodium-ion battery producer in the U.S. This year, the company announced plans to significantly expand its operations by building a facility in North Carolina with a capacity to produce 24 gigawatts of batteries. This project is projected to contribute $3.4 billion to the state’s economy over the next 12 years.
What is the single most important action you think the public, or a specific company or government (other than your own), needs to take in the next year to advance the climate agenda?
The Inflation Reduction Act, a landmark climate legislation in the U.S., has had a profound impact both domestically and globally. Its influence has inspired similar policies in other countries, such as the European Union and Canada, to ensure they remain competitive in the development of clean energy industries. The IRA has spurred a manufacturing revival in the U.S., and Natron is proud to be a part of this progress.
Given this momentum, the most critical step for the American public and its representatives in Congress is to build upon these achievements. They should recognize the real and tangible benefits of the tax credits and financing opportunities being implemented across the country, defend and expand those that have proven successful, and refine those that require improvement. Clean energy is a vital component of our future, and we must ensure that the U.S. continues to lead in this domain.
What’s the most important climate legislation that could pass in the next year?
Permitting reform is arguably the most crucial climate legislation with a realistic chance of passage next year. Across the country, numerous projects with demonstrable climate benefits are facing setbacks or cancellation due to delays in the permitting process, including transmission lines designed to transport clean electricity from generation sources to consumption points. While protecting the health and well-being of communities near such projects is essential, streamlining the permitting process by reducing duplicative efforts at the local, state, and federal levels would significantly accelerate progress.
If you could stand up and talk to world leaders at the next U.N. climate conference, what would you say?
If I had the opportunity to address world leaders at the next COP, I would emphasize the urgent need for continued innovation in clean energy technologies to transform critical power, industrial, and grid energy markets worldwide. The path forward demands not just commitment but a paradigm shift in how we approach clean energy innovation. Many of the technologies needed for clean energy already exist but require funding.
The climate crisis is not merely an environmental issue; it is an innovation challenge. We possess the talent, technology, and tenacity to revolutionize our energy landscape. What we lack is unwavering support to accelerate this transformation. I would urge world leaders to champion a global innovation ecosystem that fosters groundbreaking clean energy solutions. This entails increased funding for research and development, streamlined regulatory processes for emerging technologies, and incentives that encourage rapid adoption of sustainable alternatives.
But innovation alone is insufficient. We must also prioritize scalability and accessibility. The solutions we develop must be viable not just in wealthy nations but also in developing economies. This requires collaborative efforts to reduce costs, improve infrastructure, and provide technical assistance across borders.
Incremental change is inadequate. It is imperative that we build a future where clean energy is not merely an alternative but the norm.