Record Investments in the Low-Carbon Energy Transition in 2024

The BloombergNEF 2024 report reveals a historic record of global investments in the low-carbon energy transition, driven by electrified transport, renewable energy, and power grids.

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Global investments in the low-carbon energy transition reached unprecedented levels in 2024, according to BloombergNEF’s report.

Record Global Investments

The analysis reveals an 11% increase compared to the previous year, bringing the total to 2.1 trillion dollars. The key sectors include electrified transport, renewable energy, and the modernization of power grids. The report specifies that investments in energy transition technologies, while on the rise, show a growth rate lower than in previous years, when they varied between 24% and 29%.

Investments by Sector

The electrified transport sector, incorporating electric vehicles, two-wheelers, and charging infrastructure, attracted 757 billion dollars. This amount underlines the importance given to low-carbon mobility in the global decarbonization strategy.
Investments in renewable energy amounted to 728 billion dollars, including projects in wind energy (both onshore and offshore), solar, as well as sectors such as biofuels and biomass. Two other areas, power grids and energy storage, attracted 390 billion dollars respectively, emphasizing the need for a robust infrastructure to support the transition.

Key Figures

Sectoral performance highlights strategic investments aimed at supporting the growth of production and distribution capacities. This dynamic reflects the willingness of financial actors to address the challenges of the energy transition on a global scale.

China’s Performance

China stands out by recording 818 billion dollars in investments, a 20% increase compared to 2023. This figure surpasses the combined investments made by the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, indicating Beijing’s leading position in this transformation.
Albert Cheung, Deputy CEO of BloombergNEF (Bloomberg New Energy Finance), emphasizes that despite this record, further efforts are necessary, particularly in industrial decarbonization, hydrogen, and carbon capture.

Transition Prospects

Projections indicate that global investments will need to average 5.6 trillion euros per year between 2025 and 2030 to approach the net-zero goal by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement. These figures illustrate the complexity of the challenges to be met, even though the trajectory initiated is encouraging for sustaining progress in the energy transition.

The European battery regulation, fully effective from August 18, significantly alters industrial requirements related to electric cars and bicycles, imposing strict rules on recycling, supply chains, and transparency for companies.
The European Parliament calls on the Commission to strengthen energy infrastructure and accelerate the implementation of the Clean Industrial Deal to enhance the continent's energy flexibility and security amid increased market volatility.
The European Commission unveils an ambitious plan to modernize electricity grids and introduces the Clean Industrial Deal, mobilizing hundreds of billions of euros to strengthen the continent's industrial and energy autonomy.
In the United States, regulated electric grid operators hold a decisive advantage in connecting new data centres to the grid, now representing 134 GW of projects, according to a Wood Mackenzie report published on June 19.
The French National Assembly approves a specific target of 200 TWh renewable electricity production by 2030 within a legislative text extensively debated about the future national energy mix.
In 2024, US CO₂ emissions remain stable at 5.1bn tonnes, as the Trump administration prepares hydrocarbon-friendly energy policies, raising questions about the future evolution of the American market.
The early publication of France's energy decree triggers strong parliamentary reactions, as the government aims to rapidly secure investments in nuclear and other energy sectors.
Seven weeks after the major Iberian power outage, Spain identifies technical network failures, while the European Investment Bank approves major funding to strengthen the interconnection with France.
The European Union has announced a detailed schedule aiming to definitively halt Russian gas imports by the end of 2027, anticipating internal legal and commercial challenges to overcome.
Madagascar plans the imminent opening of a 105 MW thermal power plant to swiftly stabilise its electricity grid, severely affected in major urban areas, while simultaneously developing renewable energy projects.
India's Central Electricity Regulatory Commission proposes a new financial instrument enabling industrial companies to meet renewable energy targets through virtual contracts, without physical electricity delivery, thus facilitating compliance management.
Minister Marc Ferracci confirms the imminent publication of the energy programming decree, without waiting for the conclusion of parliamentary debates, including a substantial increase in Energy Efficiency Certificates.
At a conference held on June 11, Brussels reaffirmed its goal to reduce energy costs for households and businesses by relying on targeted investments and greater consumer involvement.
The European Commission held a high-level dialogue to identify administrative obstacles delaying renewable energy and energy infrastructure projects across the European Union.
Despite increased generation capacity and lower tariffs, Liberia continues to rely on electricity imports to meet growing demand, particularly during the dry season.
South Korea's new president, Lee Jae-myung, is reviewing the national energy policy, aiming to rebalance nuclear regulations without immediately shutting down reactors currently in operation.
The French Energy Regulatory Commission released its 2024 annual report, highlighting sustained activity on grid infrastructure, pricing, and evolving European regulatory frameworks.
The United States is easing proposed penalties for foreign LNG tankers and vehicle carriers, sharply reducing initial costs for international operators while maintaining strategic support objectives for the American merchant marine.
While capital is flowing into clean technologies globally, Africa remains marginalised, receiving only a fraction of the expected flows, according to the International Energy Agency.
The Mexican government aims to mobilise up to $9bn in private investment by 2030, but the lack of a clear commercial framework raises doubts within the industry.