ADIPEC said 85% of surveyed decision-makers rated energy as a better investment opportunity than five years earlier, while grid-building and connection delays followed geopolitics as leading barriers to meeting future demand.
ADIPEC released the findings Oct. 22. The 85% figure reflects respondents' views; the announcement gave no figure for capital committed or spent.
The report said 64% judged the global energy system more resilient than they had expected during recent disruptions, and 77% felt optimistic about the decade ahead. Respondents pointed to the system's ability to adjust rapidly under pressure, keep energy flowing and draw on a wider mix of sources and routes. Separately, Semafor reported that about one-third of executives in energy-consuming economies in Asia viewed the system as less resilient than they had expected.
ADIPEC said 93% of respondents believed demand growth would require several energy sources to expand. Another 72% expected the Middle East to gain importance in global energy over the next decade, while 74% anticipated a larger regional role in energy infrastructure.
More than 80% expected AI-driven electricity demand to outstrip existing projections; 32% anticipated a substantially higher level. A further 43% predicted technology and AI companies would exert the greatest influence over global energy in the coming decade. The survey also found 71% viewed AI more as an opportunity than a risk.
Kekst CNC conducted the research from August to October 2026. One survey covered 1,528 decision-makers in energy, technology and AI, finance and investment, and manufacturing. A separate poll asked 304 oil and gas leaders in 10 markets, and the research also included executive interviews.
Christopher Hudson, president of dmg events, said: “We need investment to move into projects, infrastructure to be built and new partnerships to take shape.” ADIPEC 2026 is set to run in Abu Dhabi from Nov. 2-5.
