Beyond rockets and landers, the Moon’s future hinges on power; the $127 billion projected economy faces its toughest test in energy systems for survival and mobility, says PwC.
PwC has projected that the Moon economy could generate $127.3 billion in revenues by 2050, but experts warn that energy infrastructure, not transport, may be the decisive factor for long-term lunar operations.
NASA recently revised its Artemis programme, adding a 2027 orbital test of commercial landers before crewed missions in 2028. The change follows delays and safety concerns, reflecting a more incremental approach to lunar exploration. While transport remains critical, analysts argue that reliable energy systems will determine whether sustained activity on the lunar surface is viable.
Mihails Ščepanskis, CEO of Deep Space Energy, said solar power alone cannot meet the demands of permanent lunar operations. The Moon’s 14-day nights, with temperatures dropping below –170°C, leave solar panels inactive and impose heavy reliance on batteries. He emphasised that compact, non-solar-powered systems are essential for supporting rovers and mobile missions far from fixed bases.
Global powers are already pursuing nuclear options. NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy plan to deploy a lunar fission reactor by 2030, while Russia has signalled interest in nuclear-powered stations in the mid-2030s.
However, Ščepanskis noted that such reactors are localised solutions and do not address mobility needs.
Deep Space Energy is developing radioisotope-based power systems using Americium-241, sourced from nuclear waste. Its Stirling-based conversion design aims to improve efficiency by up to a factor of five compared with traditional thermoelectric generators, while reducing mechanical complexity.
Ščepanskis argued that efficiency gains are vital given the limited supply of space-grade isotopes.
He concluded that sustainable lunar operations will require a combination of technologies: solar for daytime, nuclear reactors for bases, and compact radioisotope systems for mobile platforms. Without diversified energy solutions, the projected Moon economy risks being constrained by power shortages rather than transport limitations.
