The International Energy Agency said in its “World Energy Investment 2026” report that global energy investment is expected to reach a record $3.4 trillion in 2026, with clean energy attracting about $2.2 trillion — nearly double the amount going to fossil fuels. The report said energy security concerns and disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict and Strait of Hormuz crisis are reshaping global investment priorities toward diversification, electricity infrastructure, LNG, renewables, nuclear power, and battery storage.
The report highlighted strong growth in electricity demand driven by data centers, electrification, and AI-related infrastructure, while investment in battery storage, LNG, geothermal energy, and advanced nuclear technologies accelerated. In the United States, energy investment is expected to rise to nearly $610 billion in 2026, supported by LNG infrastructure and grid modernization.
The IEA also said solar power became the largest contributor to global energy demand growth for the first time, while oil demand growth slowed as electric vehicle adoption increased worldwide.
