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Copper shortages represent one of the major challenges facing the energy transition. While global attention often focuses on lithium and cobalt, which are essential for batteries, copper remains indispensable for developing the infrastructure needed to support the widespread adoption of clean energy.
Thanks to its excellent electrical conductivity, second only to that of silver, this metal is essential for transporting energy from renewable energy sources to electric vehicles and homes.
Why energy transition requires more copper
The shift towards a zero-emission economy entails a significant increase in the demand for copper, fuelled by the development of new technology and infrastructure.
- Electric vehicles
Electric vehicles require up to two and a half times the amount of copper used in cars powered by internal combustion engines. An electric vehicle uses approximately 80 kg of copper, compared with 20–25 kg for a conventional vehicle. Copper is used in motors, inverters and wiring systems.
- Renewable energy
Renewable energy generation facilities also require substantial amounts of copper. Offshore wind turbines can require up to 8 tonnes of copper per megawatt, whilst solar power plants use approximately 5 tonnes per megawatt of capacity.
- Grid infrastructure
The expansion of global electricity grids is another key driver of growing demand. Upgrading infrastructure will, in fact, require millions of kilometres of new copper cables.
Global copper deficit by 2040: S&P Global’s estimates
According to a report by S&P Global, demand for copper could exceed supply, leading to a potential structural deficit of 10 million tonnes by 2040. This amount is equivalent to nearly half of current annual global production.
Two main factors underpin this potential imbalance between supply and demand.
The first is the gradual decline in the quality of ore deposits, particularly in Chile. The lower quality of the ore extracted is one of the key challenges facing copper production.
The second factor is the lack of investment and the time required to develop new mines. Opening new mining projects can take 10 to 15 years, making it difficult to increase production quickly enough to keep up with growing demand.
Without sufficient copper supplies, the market could experience a significant increase in prices, whilst the achievement of climate targets could be delayed.
Copper recycling and urban mining
Copper recycling is essential to meeting the growing demand for this raw material. Copper can be recycled indefinitely without losing its quality and its recovery saves up to 85% of the energy required for primary extraction.
Currently, secondary copper accounts for approximately 30–35% of global demand. To increase this share, it will be essential to develop urban mining, that is, the recovery of metals from resources already present in our cities.
Barriers to recycling: WEEE and refining costs
Despite its benefits, copper recovery faces a number of challenges.
- Long life cycle: cables installed in buildings last for decades, delaying the point at which the material becomes available for recycling.
- WEEE collection: globally, only around 20% of WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment) is collected through formal channels.
- Alloy contamination: separating copper from other materials present in printed circuit boards is essential. Even small amounts of impurities, such as tin or lead, can compromise electrical conductivity.
- Refining costs: achieving a purity level of 99.99%, corresponding to Grade A copper, requires high energy consumption.
Emerging technology for recovering copper from electronic waste
To overcome these challenges, the industry is developing cleaner and more efficient recovery technology as alternatives to traditional pyrometallurgical processes based on the use of high-temperatures.
- Smart shredding and separation
Artificial intelligence and magnets can be used to separate ferrous metals and aluminium after materials have been shredded, facilitating subsequent recovery operations.
- Hydrometallurgy
Hydrometallurgy uses aqueous solutions to selectively dissolve copper. These processes can operate at room temperature, helping to reduce emissions.
- Bioleaching
Bioleaching utilises microorganisms, such as fungi and bacteria, to oxidise iron and promote the release of copper from treated materials. Optimising the process can increase recovery rates from 24% to over 84%.
- Electrowinning
Electrowinning uses an electric current to deposit copper ions present in the solution onto a cathode. This process makes it possible to produce copper sheets with a purity of 99.99%.
Conclusion: the role of copper in energy transition
The future of clean energy will depend not only on the amount of copper that can be extracted but also on our ability to recover and reuse the copper that is already available.
As demand continues to grow and increasing mining production presents significant challenges, copper recycling and circular economy will play a fundamental role in addressing the challenges of energy transition.
