Powering Wealth
How rich families shape the energy transition in Germany and Mexico
ABOUT
the project
The international research project Powering Wealth examines how wealthy families influence the energy transition in Germany and Mexico. The project is interested in the long-durée of the relationship between private wealth and energy transitions, analysing the the period from ca. 1870 to today. Within this period, we study the investment strategies of high net worth individuals (HNWIs) with a view on energy to better understand their role in shaping energy politics.
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The project is designed as a historical comparative case study for Germany and Mexico—two countries with a high concentration of personal wealth and energy-driven economic development. Yet, while Germany is energy-poor, Mexico has significant oil resources. These structural differences allow for an analysis of the interactions between capital investment, energy policy, and long-term wealth strategies.
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The project combines historical process tracing, qualitative interviews, and archival sources (especially wills) to reconstruct investment decisions over a long historical period.
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The integration of political analysis and collaboration with artists extends the impact of the project beyond the academic sphere. This interdisciplinary approach deepens the scope of the research and contributes to a nuanced understanding of the role of wealthy families in the energy transition.
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The project is funded by the Volkswagen Foundation.
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Learn more about the people behind the project on our Team page. For current insights into our activities, visit the Outreach page.