Global energy sector investments in 2025 are projected to hit a record $3.3 trillion, with over $2.2 trillion earmarked for green energy initiatives.
This is stated in the report “World Energy Investment 2025”, published by the International Energy Agency (IEA), The Caspian Post reports citing Uzbek media.
The report serves as a global benchmark for monitoring investment flows in the energy sector. In this context, Uzbekistan’s efforts to establish a sustainable energy balance, including the development of nuclear power, are particularly timely.
The report notes that clean energy technologies attract twice as much investment as traditional energy sources. Investments in nuclear energy have increased by 50 percent over the past five years and are projected to reach nearly $75 billion in 2025. This global shift is part of the transition to low-carbon generation, which includes renewable energy sources, energy storage systems, and energy efficiency solutions. According to the IEA, the sectors attracting the most investment are solar energy ($450 billion) and battery storage systems ($65 billion).
Insufficient Investment in Power Grids
The report highlights that insufficient investment in power grids remains a serious issue. Annual investments of nearly $400 billion are inadequate to support development in line with the growing pace of electricity generation and electrification. By the early 2030s, investment in power grids will need to match the level of investment in electricity generation. This is seen as a critical factor in ensuring the stability of energy supply systems.
According to IEA experts, one of the main barriers limiting investment in power grids is bureaucratic hurdles in the permitting process and shortages in transformer and cable equipment supply.
“In an environment of geopolitical and economic instability, energy security is becoming a key driver of investment growth”, said Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency. “Countries and companies are seeking to shield themselves from various risks. China has become the largest investor in the energy sector, investing an amount close to the combined expenditures of the United States and the European Union”.
China’s global clean energy investment share has risen from 25 percent to nearly one-third. This achievement has been made possible through large-scale investments in solar, wind, hydro, and nuclear energy, as well as in battery technologies and electric vehicles.
Uzbekistan Chooses a Green Future
Uzbekistan’s energy plans are viewed as a timely and strategic step.
In May, Tashkent hosted an International Energy Conference. One of the participants, Boris Dulkin, Head of the Energy Product Line at the Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation, emphasized that ensuring a sustainable energy balance requires comprehensive solutions that integrate proven technologies such as nuclear, wind, solar, and hydropower. In this regard, Uzbekistan is steadily progressing toward a sustainable energy mix by jointly developing solar, wind, and nuclear energy.
“We are pleased to see a growing number of countries expressing interest in nuclear energy and considering its inclusion in their national energy development plans”, said Mr. Dulkin. “We would like to highlight the important steps being taken by Uzbekistan to diversify its energy balance through the development of nuclear power. This includes last year’s strategic decision to implement a project involving small modular reactors comprising six energy blocks. In line with the country’s existing energy strategy, it is expected that the share of green generation, including nuclear energy, will increase to 50 percent by 2030. Achieving this goal will require the adoption of modern energy technologies and the development of infrastructure”.
Through its recent initiatives and partnerships, Uzbekistan is shaping its path within the global energy transition. Today, more than 10 percent of the world’s energy mix is generated by nuclear power. Uzbekistan is among the countries that drive demand in this sector and offer a practical model for sustainable development.
