Energy Transition Investment Trends

Tracking global investment in the low-carbon energy transition

This is an abridged version of BloombergNEF’s annual accounting of global investment in the low-carbon energy transition. BNEF clients can find the full version on Bloomberg Terminal or bnef.com

Previously focused on renewables, the report now includes investment figures for a wider scope of transition areas, including energy storage, electrified vehicles and heating, hydrogen, and carbon capture and storage. We also cover thematic highlights such as the rise of green finance, performance of clean energy stocks and investment by oil majors.

● In 2020, global investment in the low-carbon energy transition totalled $501.3 billion, up from $458.6 billion in 2019 and just $235.4 billion in 2010. This figure includes investment in projects, such as renewable power, energy storage, EV charging infrastructure, hydrogen production and CCS projects – as well as end-user purchases of low-carbon energy devices, such as smallscale solar systems, heat pumps and zero-emission vehicles.

● The largest sector in 2020 was renewable energy, which attracted $303.5 billion for new projects and small-scale systems. This was up 2% on 2019, despite Covid-related delays to some deals.

● The second-biggest was electric transport, which saw $139 billion of outlays on new vehicles and charging infrastructure, up 28%. Electric heat got $50.8 billion of investment, up 12%.

● Hydrogen and CCS are small sectors for now, but are expected to grow. In 2020, they received investment of $1.5 billion and $3 billion, respectively down 20% and up 212%.

● Europe and China are currently vying for top position among markets active in energy transition investment.