Electrifying the Future: Pioneering the Next Generation of Power

Hosted by SSE plc, TAQA Group, Edison International and Hitachi Energy

On Monday, 21 September, UNEZA members, strategic partners and senior stakeholders came together in New York for an executive dinner during Electrification Day at UNGA and Climate Week NYC.

• Harnessing new technologies and innovation across the power sector.
• Accelerating grid expansion and electrification to meet growing electricity demand.
• Strengthening collaboration across the power value chain on the road to COP31.

As the world moves towards deeper electrification, utilities will be at the heart of delivering the infrastructure, investment and innovation it needs. With the COP31 President-Designate calling for a global electrification target of 35% by 2035, collaboration across utilities, technology providers and partners will be needed to turn that ambition into action.

The evening reinforced UNEZA’s role as a platform for collective action, where utilities and partners exchange solutions and strengthen partnerships on the way to resilient, flexible and net zero power systems.

Roundtable: Mobilizing Long Term Capital for Grid and Renewable Energy Infrastructure

Co-hosted by UNEZA, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the Green Grids Initiative (GGI) and Accenture, with Lion’s Head Global Partners as reporting partner

On 22 September, as part of Electrification Day at Climate Week NYC, UNEZA, IRENA, GGI and Accenture co-hosted a closed door roundtable on mobilizing long term capital for grid and renewable energy infrastructure. Accenture hosted the session in New York.

The investment need is large. To keep up with rapid electrification, annual global investment in grids must rise from USD 0.5 trillion in 2025 to around USD 1 trillion a year over 2026 to 2035. UNEZA members have already committed more than USD 158 billion per year, including over USD 88 billion in renewables and over USD 67 billion in grids.

Following opening remarks from IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera and UNEZA Co-Chair Fazil Abdul Rahiman of TAQA Group, Lion’s Head Global Partners presented a Grid Financing Facility Strategic Note. The note is a consultation step towards UNEZA’s strategy to establish a Global Investment Mechanism for Grids.

The discussion focused on:

1. The main barriers to grid investment, and which ones finance can address.
2. Where existing finance falls short, and where a pooled mechanism could add value.
3. Instruments that can mobilize capital at scale, and lessons from tools that reduce investment risk, such as guarantees and blended finance.
4. The key elements of a roadmap towards COP31 Türkiye.

What comes next: insights from the discussion will inform the Roadmap to Mobilizing Investment in Grid Infrastructure and help set priority collaborative actions ahead of COP31.

Grid Optimisation for an Electrified Future

Part of the Global Renewables Summit 2026, hosted by the Global Renewables Alliance (GRA) with IRENA and GGI

On the afternoon of 22 September, UNEZA took part in Grid Optimisation for an Electrified Future, part of the Global Renewables Summit 2026. More than 2,500 GW of renewable, large load and storage projects sit in connection queues worldwide, while new infrastructure takes years to plan, permit and build.

Ministers, business and finance leaders shared practical experience on regulatory reform, market design, operational improvements and grid enhancing technologies. UNEZA was represented by its Co-Chairs.

Grids at the Heart of the Energy Transition

In partnership with the Green Grids Initiative (GGI) and partners.

At Climate Week NYC, UNEZA joined forces with GGI and partners to advance the conversation on how stronger, smarter and more resilient grids can enable the next phase of global electrification.

Highlights included:

• Unlocking grid capacity: case studies from the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Uruguay showed how regulatory reform and targeted investment can unlock additional capacity on congested grids.
• Advancing the global grids agenda: at the Coordinating Council for the Acceleration of Expansion and Resilience of Grids, the International Energy Agency (IEA) and IRENA shared their latest research on electrification and grids, alongside contributions from the COP30 and incoming COP31 Presidencies.
• Building momentum for implementation: the launch of the UN Global Grids Accelerator reinforced the growing global momentum behind faster grid expansion, modernisation and investment.

For UNEZA, accelerating electrification and renewable energy deployment requires grids to move faster too. UNEZA thanks GGI and all partners.

Delivering Energy Security and Minimising Consumer Costs through Grid Optimisation and Flexibility

Co-hosted by UNEZA, GGI and IRENA, at Arup New York

On Wednesday, 23 September, UNEZA co-hosted this session with GGI and IRENA at Arup New York. It paired best practice with concrete support offers and built momentum with members of the Coordinating Council for the Acceleration of Expansion and Resilience of Grids, the NDC Partnership and selected countries and utilities ahead of COP31.

Accelerating Grids to Power the Global Energy Transition

UN Global Grids Accelerator, launched by the UN Secretary-General on 23 September in New York

In the words of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, “Grids are the arteries of the energy transition.” UNEZA welcomed the launch of the UN Global Grids Accelerator, an initiative aimed at scaling up investment in electricity grids across Africa and Southeast Asia.

Why action is urgent:

• More than 2,500 GW of renewable energy projects are stalled in grid connection queues worldwide.
• Annual global grid investment, currently around USD 450 billion, needs to increase by approximately 50% by 2030, according to IRENA.
• Renewable energy deployment keeps accelerating: Africa added a record 11.3 GW of capacity last year and ASEAN countries added 11 GW in 2025, so grids need to become stronger and more resilient.

Welcoming the launch, IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera reaffirmed IRENA’s readiness to support the initiative by drawing on its data, knowledge, regional cooperation and private sector partnerships, including UNEZA.

As utilities at the heart of power systems, UNEZA members look forward to contributing to this momentum and to helping accelerate investment in modern, resilient and flexible grids on the road to COP31 in Antalya and beyond. UNEZA’s message is simple: no grids, no energy transition.

Electrification Ministerial

Held at Turkish House

On Thursday, 24 September, UNEZA took part in the Electrification Ministerial at Turkish House, represented by its Co-Chairs.

Panel at the Grids in Transition US Conference

Hosted by UNEZA with Hitachi Energy and Global Transmission Report

On Thursday, 24 September, UNEZA hosted a panel within the Grids in Transition US Conference with Hitachi Energy and Global Transmission Report. The panel looked at how resilient and diversified supply chains can support the scaling up of the infrastructure that global electrification requires.

Utilities for Net Zero Alliance (UNEZA) members, representing some of the world's largest utilities, will need close to 90,000 kilometres of transmission cable by 2030, enough to circle the Earth more than twice, and more than 270 high-voltage transformers over the same period. Both figures dwarf current manufacturing capacity. Transformer waiting times alone can now exceed three years.

The age of electricity, and transition to clean power is pushing transmission infrastructure growth at unprecedented speed, creating challenges for supply chains. Addressing manufacturing bottlenecks and raw material constraints will be critical to the pace and cost of grid expansion and is a key focus area for UNEZA, a leading global industry body co-led by UK utility SSE and Abu Dhabi-based TAQA, working in partnership with the Global Clean Power Alliance, founded and led by the UK Government.

UNEZA operates under the guidance of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions, ensuring a focused and strategic approach to achieving a sustainable energy future.

UK Climate Minister Katie White, said: "This call from the Utilities for Net Zero Alliance shows that, by working with industry, governments can stop tying themselves in knots and start delivering the infrastructure needed to meet global demand – enough cable to wrap around the Earth more than twice."

"Through partnerships like the Global Clean Power Alliance, Britain is tackling long-standing barriers to clean energy. That will help us deliver the clean power mission, lower bills for good, and support other countries to reduce emissions and accelerate their own transition."

Khalifa Al Mheiri - Chief Strategy & Investment Officer, TAQA Transmission, said: "As a utility investing in the next generation of electricity networks, TAQA recognises that delivering the energy transition at the pace the world requires depends not only on investment, but on our ability to strengthen and modernise global supply chains. Through UNEZA, utilities are taking practical action to improve coordination, harmonise technical approaches and explore pooled procurement models that provide greater certainty for suppliers while helping utilities deliver critical infrastructure faster, more efficiently and at lower cost. Collaboration across the value chain will be fundamental to building resilient electricity systems that support long-term energy security and net-zero ambitions."

Glenn Barber, Director of Corporate Affairs at SSE, said: "We know from our experience in the UK that long-term visibility of demand is vital. It gives supply chain partners the certainty they need to invest in the manufacturing capacity and technical innovation needed to meet the demands of a monumental global energy transition. By bringing global utilities and supply chain partners together, UNEZA is not only helping to provide that visibility but tackling the practical barriers to supply chain development. The focus at London Climate Week on electrification of demand is welcome and necessary; at the same time, electrification will only be possible if grids can keep pace and the steps outlined today can plan an important role in that."

Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) said: "We have spent the past decade proving that renewables can be deployed at scale. That case is made. The challenge now is ensuring grids and supply chains keep pace to deliver clean power reliably to homes, industries and communities. As electrification takes center stage in the next phase of the transition, with IRENA calling for a global electrification target of 35% by 2035, resilient supply chains will be essential. Initiatives such as the Utilities for Net Zero Alliance and the Global Clean Power Alliance show the value of governments, utilities and industry working together to accelerate progress while enhancing energy security and system resilience."

The statement was released following a high-level roundtable co-hosted by UNEZA and the Global Clean Power Alliance (GCPA), with support from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the COP31 Climate High-Level Champion.

At COP30, UNEZA members raised their collective annual investment target for renewables, grids and storage from USD 117 billion to USD 148 billion. Clean energy investments by UNEZA members between its inception at COP28 and 2030 are on course to exceed USD 1 trillion, with a significant share directed to grid infrastructure. Based on UNEZA's planned grid investments, members are estimated to require nearly 79,000 kilometres of overhead transmission lines, 9,400 kilometres of underground and subsea cables, 273 high-voltage transformers, 12,000 medium- and low-voltage transformers, and 77 substations.

To strengthen supply chain resilience and provide manufacturers with greater long-term certainty, UNEZA launched Delivery Mechanism on supply chains with focus on pooled procurement and members committed to three priority actions:

• - Provide annual demand signals to strengthen investment certainty and expand manufacturing capacity.
• - Advance harmonised equipment standards and technical specifications to simplify procurement and improve interoperability.
• - Scale coordinated procurement and innovation to reduce supply chain risks and accelerate grid deployment.

Together, these commitments aim to encourage greater manufacturing investment, reduce procurement risks and accelerate the delivery of critical grid infrastructure.

The initiative builds on UNEZA's broader mission to accelerate the global energy transition by bringing together the world's leading utilities to address shared challenges, including supply chains, capital mobilisation and policy barriers. Since its launch under the UAE's COP28 Presidency, UNEZA has grown to 85 member organisations and continues to drive practical, industry-led collaboration that transforms ambition into action.

The supply chain roadmap will continue to be developed with utilities, manufacturers, international organisations and governments ahead of COP31, supporting global efforts to strengthen energy security, build more resilient electricity systems and accelerate the deployment of clean energy infrastructure worldwide.

The session brought together utilities, technology providers, and knowledge partners to explore delivery-oriented approaches that can translate global commitments into action. Discussions highlighted the need to address grid capacity constraints, strengthen system flexibility, mobilize investment, and scale energy storage to support the rapid growth of renewable energy.

Key insights included:

• - Grids and energy storage are now essential to scaling renewables, strengthening system resilience, and ensuring affordability.
• - Financing constraints, grid readiness gaps, supply chain pressure, and foreign exchange risks continue to slow deployment, particularly in emerging markets.
• - Digital grid solutions, advanced power electronics, battery energy storage, and grid forming technologies are available today but require faster and wider deployment.
• - Clear policy signals such as storage targets, integrated grid planning, streamlined permitting, and supportive regulation are essential to unlock investment at scale.

Concrete examples in Ghana and Kenya demonstrated how energy storage and grids improve renewable integration and system reliability, while also highlighting risks such as foreign exchange exposure that can affect project viability and financing.

By convening stakeholders at WFES, UNEZA reinforced its role in bridging policy ambition and industry capability, supporting the transition toward cleaner, more resilient and affordable power systems worldwide.

High-Level Dialogue on Accelerating Electrification: Pathways for Renewables, Grids, and Industry

The session underscored that “electrification has moved from a technical option to a central pillar of the energy transition” and is now a “present-day necessity” for achieving net-zero emissions, enhancing energy security, and supporting industrial competitiveness.

Dr. Dimitrios Dimitriou, Group Vice President of ESG & Sustainability at EMSTEEL and AFID Co-Chair, shared an industry perspective on behalf AFID, noting "AFID members have committed significant investments in renewable energy, electrification, hydrogen, circularity, and workforce transformation, demonstrating that industry can be a driver and not a barrier to the energy transition." He emphasised that "electrification at scale will only succeed if renewable generation, industrial demand, and finance mechanisms advance together." He stressed the importance of "system-level collaboration" between governments, industry, finance, and institutions to accelerate the energy transition in a practical and inclusive manner.

"Our industry is setting out to rewire the energy system, and doing so at the speed required means we need to collaborate, even if geopolitics seems to be moving in the other direction," said Mr. Gareth Wynn, UNEZA Co-Chair and TAQA Chief Communications Officer. He emphasised that utilities have a central role in accelerating electrification and delivering the clean power system needed for the future and outlined three priorities: mobilising finance, creating enabling policy and regulatory conditions, and strengthening supply chains. He added: "To realise the full potential of electrification, we need resilient grids, scalable storage, and expanded access to affordable finance, particularly for projects in the global south."

Discussion highlights included:

• - Consensus & common vision on creating clear, investable policy signals for electrification while ensuring no region is left behind.
• - Incentives and barriers, including the need for predictable regulatory frameworks, reduced cost of capital, and targeted financial instruments to accelerate deployment of high-impact electrification projects.
• - System needs and flexibility, emphasizing resilient grids, storage, demand response, and regional interconnections as the backbone of large-scale electrification and industrial transformation.
• - Regional and cross-border collaboration, with examples from Europe, the GCC, and Southeast Asia demonstrating how interconnected systems can enhance reliability, reduce costs, and support renewable integration.

Participants consistently stressed that electrification will only advance “as fast as our grids grow” and that success depends on aligning policy, finance, technology deployment, and skills development. The dialogue reinforced UNEZA’s role as a platform to translate ambition into implementation, mobilizing investment, de-risking supply chains, and accelerating delivery of resilient, decarbonized power systems worldwide.

Other UNEZA engagements during the IRENA Assembly

Alongside the High-Level Dialogue on Accelerating Electrification, UNEZA engaged in multiple high-level sessions during the 16th IRENA Assembly on grids, storage, investment, and digitalisation.

High-Level Public-Private Dialogue on Key Enablers for the Energy Transition: Grids and Storage – 10 January

UNEZA participated in the High-Level Public-Private Dialogue on Key Enablers for the Energy Transition: Grids and Storage on the 10th January, which underscored that scaling renewables depends on early grid reinforcement and integrated system planning, with energy storage now a system-critical asset. The dialogue highlighted the need for clear policy signals, aligned regulation, and financing solutions to translate global commitments into reliable and scalable deployment.

SIDS Ministerial on Investment Pathways, Regional Approaches and Partnerships for the Energy Transition – 10 January

On the same day, UNEZA also contributed to the SIDS Ministerial on Investment Pathways, Regional Approaches and Partnerships for the Energy Transition, focusing on scaling investment and regional collaboration to strengthen resilient energy systems in Small Island Developing States, highlighting grid modernisation, energy storage, pooled procurement, demand aggregation, and decentralised solutions as key enablers to reduce risk, lower costs, and expand energy access.

Ministerial Dialogue on the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Accelerating the Energy Transition – 12 January

Finally, on the 12th January, UNEZA engaged in the Ministerial Dialogue on the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Accelerating the Energy Transition, which highlighted two interconnected dimensions: the use of AI and digitalisation to optimise electricity systems, efficiency, and reliability, and the rising electricity demand associated with data centres. Discussions emphasized the need for coordinated action between governments, utilities, industry, and the technology sector to enable faster adoption through aligned policy, system design, and data interoperability.

The cooperation announced at COP30 in Belem will serve the GCPA’s Supply Chains Mission as a first-of-its-kind partnership between governments, industry, and technical experts, that will work to unlock the supply chain constraints that threaten to hold back the power and infrastructure deployment needed to advance the energy transition globally.

The GCPA was launched in 2024 by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro alongside Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The platform brings together leading governments from across the global north and south to speed up the global drive for clean power. Partners within the GCPA are committed to strengthening international collaboration to deliver clean power in support of the Global Stocktake commitment to triple renewable energy capacity globally by 2030.

UNEZA was established under the UAE’s COP28 Presidency to address bottlenecks in power system transformation. The Alliance is co-chaired by TAQA and UK utility SSE and brings together more than 70 global partners including the world’s leading utilities. UNEZA members recently announced energy transition investment plans of US $ 1 trillion to 2030.

Together, UNEZA and GCPA aim to ensure that supply chain resilience keeps pace with the accelerating energy transition, supporting shared global goals for cleaner, more reliable, and sustainable power systems, as announced by GCPA at COP30.

Martin Pibworth, Chief Executive of SSE plc and UNEZA Co-Chair, said: "Clean power holds the key to decarbonising global economies and mitigating climate change. But we can only deliver it if we rapidly scale supply chain capacity. Whether it's cables, transformers or turbines, a coordinated effort is now needed to unlock capacity expansion and UNEZA is therefore delighted to be supporting the Global Clean Power Alliance in its attempts to facilitate this. We have seen in our home market of the UK how planful, strategic policy making can provide the long-term clarity needed to build new manufacturing capability, and we look forward to working with colleagues around the world to help achieve this on a much bigger scale."

Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) said: “Robust, diversified supply chains turn the energy transition from commitment into real-life economic opportunity, especially in emerging and developing countries. However, fragmented markets and supply chain vulnerabilities continue to drive up costs and delay implementation. Access to affordable, long-term finance remains limited as perceived investment risks deter private capital. IRENA supports the close cooperation between the Utilities for Net Zero Alliance (UNEZA) and the GCPA to accelerate strategically important solutions for mobilising urgently needed energy transition investments.”

Laura Fleming, Managing Director Hitachi Energy UK & IE said: “Clean, reliable electricity underpins economic prosperity. It powers industry, enables innovation, and improves quality of life. At Hitachi Energy, we see the energy transition as one of the greatest opportunities of our time, to deliver growth that is both sustainable and inclusive. Through collaboration between the Utilities Net Zero Alliance and the Global Clean Power Alliance, we’re working with partners to strengthen supply chains and accelerate the build-out of electricity grids that connect renewable energy to people, businesses, and communities. When countries invest in resilient grids, they invest in their future, creating skilled jobs, attracting investment, and building the foundations for long-term prosperity.”

UNEZA’s support for the GCPA Supply Chains Mission reinforces its growing role as a delivery-focused coalition that bridges government ambition and industry capability. Since COP28, the Alliance has worked to translate ambition into action, shaping investment priorities, advancing policy recommendations, and engaging with governments, regulators, and financial institutions to de-risk and scale clean energy infrastructure, particularly in emerging markets and developing economies.

The GCPA’s Supply Chain’s Mission Vision can be read on the UK Government website Global Clean Power Alliance: supply chains mission vision - GOV.UK.

The UNEZA’s High level statement on building a resilient and diverse clean energy technology supply chain.

The investment commitments include a significant shift towards power grids and networks, with the world’s leading utilities set to spend around USD 1.24 on grids and storage for every dollar spent on renewable generation. The group will deliver tens of thousands of kilometres of new and upgraded grid infrastructure, and battery storage, while more than tripling their combined renewable energy capacity by 2030 compared with 2023 levels. Members will invest USD 66 billion per year in renewables, and USD 82 billion in grids and storage.

The announcement was made at a high-level ministerial meeting on grids in Belem today, where governments and multilateral development banks (MDBs) also backed new grid financing principles endorsed by the COP30 Presidency, and presented by the Green Grids Initiative and supported by UNEZA. Developed through consultation with leading banks, the Principles are designed to increase the pool of capital available to grids in emerging economies, from climate and development finance institutions.

The governments, institutions and banks that have confirmed their backing for the Climate Finance Principles for Green Grids, include African Development Bank, British International Investment, East African Development Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, Climate Bonds Initiative, Institutional Investors Group for Climate Change, Asia Investor Group on Climate Change, German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), Global Renewables Alliance, Grid Works, Climate High-Level Champions and the UK Government.

In a letter to heads of MDBs earlier this week, the COP30 CEO, Ana Toni, said: “Delivering on global goals for tripling renewable energy and doubling energy efficiency by 2030 will only be possible if grids keep pace. Through the Principles and the UNEZA partnership, we [COP30] are turning global commitments into practical delivery, linking finance, policy, and implementation to build the resilient power systems that will enable a clean-energy future.”

UNEZA was established under the UAE’s COP28 Presidency to address bottlenecks in power system transformation. The Alliance is co-chaired by founding member TAQA headquartered in Abu Dhabi, and the UK’s SSE and operates under the guidance of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Climate High-Level Champions. According to IRENA, around USD 670 billion of investment is needed per year to build out and strengthen electricity grids between now and 2030 to meet system transformation needs.

Jasim Husain Thabet, Group Chief Executive Officer of TAQA, founder and co-chair of UNEZA, said: “UNEZA was established at COP28 as a platform for cooperation and decisive energy transition action from the global utilities community. This announcement reflects the fact that we deliver against our promises and underscores the magnitude of our intent. Utilities worldwide are mobilizing with investments that are tangible, substantial and aligned with the need for a more resilient and sustainable energy system. We are standing up to deliver the most significant infrastructure upgrade of our lifetime – a power system fit for the 21st century, and fulfilling the pledges made at COP28 and COP29."

Martin Pibworth, Chief Executive of SSE and co-chair of UNEZA, said: “The world is long on commitments and short on implementation, and we therefore welcome the Brazilian Presidency’s focus on closing this gap at COP30. This is where the global utilities community is making a real difference, turning policy into progress by delivering tangible, critical electricity infrastructure on the ground, and we are delighted to be setting out these increased investment commitments by UNEZA members today. Last year, UNEZA members built enough new grids to stretch from Belem to New Zealand, and enough new renewables capacity to meet half the peak demand of India. This is real, meaningful progress in the energy transition that is so critical to the future of our planet, and we now look forward to delivering this next step change in delivery.”

Francesco La Camera, IRENA Director General, said:: “Grids are now the biggest roadblock to the energy transition, especially in emerging and developing countries where resilient infrastructure underpins climate action, sustainable growth, and energy security. To make COP30 in Belém a turning point, we must go beyond just building more wires. We need a systemic rethink, creating secure, affordable, and reliable power systems fit for the future. Through the Global Coalition for Energy Planning and UNEZA, IRENA supports building ecosystems where regulators, utilities, planners, and ministries work together to deliver the speed, certainty, and bankability investors need.”

Dan Ioschpe, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion, and a key UNEZA partner said: “Resilient infrastructure is the foundation for climate ambition, sustainable growth, and energy security. To make COP30 in Belém a genuine turning point, we must move beyond the mindset of simply building more wires. We need a systemic transformation that creates more secure, affordable, and reliable power systems. The leadership and collaboration we see from the utilities community are reasons for true optimism. Their collective commitment to expand renewables, strengthen grids, and deploy storage reflects the kind of decisive corporate action that will define this decade.”

Marcus Stewart, Head of Secretariat, Green Grids Initiative, added: “Green Grids Initiative is delighted that the COP Presidency has chosen to focus on Grids at this COP and back GGI’s Climate Finance Principles. Alongside the Tropical Forest Forever Facility, this is the only initiative to have received such high-level endorsement. GGI is proud to work alongside our partners in utilities, finance and government to increase the momentum for Grids and see a lot more finance mobilised to make them a reality for the countries that need them most.”

Robin Zeng, Chairman of CATL, said: “Building upon the growing ambition from past COPs, COP30 must be the moment we close the gap between commitment and delivery. Here, energy storage emerges as the critical flexibility resource for a secure energy transition. We count on UNEZA as a key mechanism to help fulfil this ambition, by mobilizing global efforts and ensuring COP30 marks a decisive step forward.”

At the Ministerial meeting, UNEZA also announced a series of initiatives, known as ‘delivery mechanisms’ to further accelerate investment in grid modernisation. Together, these mechanisms address system bottlenecks that limit the pace of energy transition including supply chain challenges, and capital flows.

The mechanisms include:

• Pooled Procurement: Aggregating demand across utilities to achieve economies of scale, lower equipment costs, and strengthen supply chains, starting with small island developing states (SIDS).
• Unlocking Stranded Gigawatts: Implementing data-driven planning, flexible grid access agreements, and new regulatory frameworks to reduce congestion and connect renewable capacity currently stalled by infrastructure gaps.
• Investment Trust Fund: Launching consultations on a global fund to mobilise long-term capital for grid and renewable-energy infrastructure, leveraging UNEZA’s robust project pipeline to lower the cost of capital and attract institutional investors.

Earlier, UNEZA announced a new partnership with the Global Clean Power Alliance (GCPA) led by the UK government, specifically to address supply chain challenges affecting the power sector globally. GCPA confirmed UNEZA as its key supply chain mission delivery partner, bringing 12 ambitious governments together with 70 of the world’s leading utilities and power sector companies, to build more resilient power sector supply chains.

The Climate Finance for Green Grids Principles can be found here.

UNEZA’s latest report on Progress on the COP29 Global Energy Storage and Grids Pledge can be found here. 

Learn more about UNEZA at https://www.utilitiesfornetzero.org/

Dialogue on Transforming the Power Sector Beyond 2030 – 14 November

On 14 November, UNEZA hosted the “Dialogue on Transforming the Power Sector Beyond 2030” at the Global Renewables Hub. The dialogue explored future power system needs, financing barriers, supply-chain constraints, and policy reforms required for large-scale deployment of clean power and flexible grids.

During the session, UNEZA launched its new report, Progress on the COP29 Global Energy Storage and Grids Pledge, highlighting global progress, key recommendations, and UNEZA’s role in advancing net-zero power systems. UNEZA also announced new collective targets by 2030, including:

• Increasing total renewable energy capacity to over 1,074 GW by 2030, equal to 3x capacity from 2023.
• Committed investments in renewables capacity of c. 66 bn USD p.a. by 2030.
• Committed investments in grids of c. 79 bn USD p.a. by 2030.
• Committed investments in energy storage of c. 3 bn USD p.a. by 2030.

For a total annual investment of 148 bn USD, resulting in up to 1 tn USD by 2030.

High-Level Ministerial Event on Grids and Storage – 14 November

Later the same day, UNEZA co-organized the High-Level Ministerial Event: “Accelerating Action on Grids and Storage: Planning, Finance, Principles and Policy Solutions” together with the Green Grids Initiative, GCEP and SBCOP.

The event focused on planning, financing and regulatory enablers for grids and storage, with strong engagement from governments and multilateral development banks. The Climate Finance Principles to Unlock Grids Financing, presented by the Green Grids Initiative and supported by the COP30 Presidency and UNEZA, received broad backing.

At the Ministerial, UNEZA announced a set of new delivery mechanisms to accelerate investment in grid modernisation:

• Pooled Procurement, aggregating demand across utilities to reduce costs and strengthen supply chains, starting with small island developing states
• Unlocking Stranded Gigawatts, using data-driven planning and new regulatory frameworks to connect stalled renewable capacity
• Investment Trust Fund, with consultations launched on a global fund to mobilise long-term capital for grid and renewable infrastructure

An open letter supporting the Climate Finance Principles was published ahead of the event and shared with major multilateral development banks.

Plan to Accelerate Electrification Solutions Workshop – 15 November

On 15 November, UNEZA co-hosted the “Plan to Accelerate Electrification Solutions” workshop with the Alliance for Industry Decarbonization (AFID). The workshop highlighted the importance of cross-sector partnerships, supply-chain cooperation, and harmonised standards to meet 2030 and 2050 climate goals.

UNEZA and its members also showcased utility-led case studies to the Granary of Solutions, the COP Action Agenda platform highlighting real-world implementation of the Paris Agreement.

Through these sessions, UNEZA reaffirmed its commitment to enabling collaborative action, accelerating investment in clean electricity, and supporting global efforts toward achieving net-zero emissions. These events provided a unique platform for utilities and stakeholders to exchange insights, share experiences, and align efforts toward transforming the power sector beyond 2030.

The session brought together leading experts and innovators from utilities, technology providers, and research institutions to discuss practical applications of AI and digital tools in advancing modern, renewable-ready power systems.

• - Opening remarks by the UNEZA Secretariat underscored the importance of collaboration between utilities and the private sector to achieve net-zero targets and drive digital transformation in the power sector.
• - envelio presented its Intelligent Grid Platform, demonstrating how unified grid data management and AI-driven planning can streamline network development and operational efficiency.
• - Intertrust introduced Flexworks, an AI-based tool for distributed energy resource (DER) valuation that enables real-time insights and enhances decision-making for grid operators.
• - Climate Collective showcased Electron Vibe, an innovation platform connecting startups and utilities to co-develop AI-powered solutions that accelerate climate action

The discussion highlighted key priorities for the digital transition of power systems, including:

• - Predictive maintenance and proactive asset management.
• - Data integration, interoperability, and improved connectivity.
• - Strengthening cybersecurity through trust models and transparent data governance.
• - The use of digital twins and advanced analytics to enhance system reliability and planning.
• - The need for clear standards and collaborative frameworks to unlock innovation at scale.

Together, participants reaffirmed their commitment to building smarter, more connected, and sustainable power systems that support the region’s transition to a net-zero future.

Tuesday, 23 September 2025

Roundtable: Future-Proof Power Systems – Flexibility and Grid Transformation

As part of the Global Renewable Energy Dialogues, UNEZA convened at Bloomberg HQ, New York, for a high-level closed-door roundtable focused on flexibility, storage, grids, and interconnections.

Chaired by the GRA, and featuring Mr. Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA, alongside UNEZA Co-Chairs TAQA Group and SSE plc, the session gathered government officials, private sector leaders, and representatives from civil society, academia, and philanthropy. Participants shared case studies and best practices on overcoming financing and regulatory barriers, modernizing and expanding electricity grids, and advancing collective commitments in the lead-up to COP30.

Discussion highlights included:

• - Replicating best practices for deployment and upgrading grids, storage, and interconnections to enhance system flexibility and reliability.
• - Overcoming financing bottlenecks for resilient grid systems through innovative mechanisms and partnerships.
• - Strengthening international interconnections and cross-border power trading, unlocking opportunities for collaboration between regions.
• - Identifying new partnerships and announcements for COP30, building on the Global Grids and Storage Pledge made at COP29 in Dubai.

The newly published UNEZA report Delivering Large-Scale Grid Infrastructure Projects provided valuable lessons from real-world projects — from strengthening planning and mobilizing innovative finance to expanding global manufacturing and equipping the workforce that will build tomorrow’s grids.

Thursday, 25 September 2025

Panel Discussion: Delivering Power Grids at Scale

UNEZA session within the 9th Annual Offshore Wind Transmission Conference US, New York Marriott Downtown

UNEZA concluded its engagements at New York Climate Week 2025 with a high-level panel on delivering large-scale grid infrastructure projects at pace and scale. The session included representatives from SSE, National Grid Ventures, Edison International, and Hitachi Energy, bringing together leading perspectives from across the utility and technology sectors.

Discussions focused on how to accelerate grid development to meet growing renewable energy demand, with participants sharing insights on:

• - The opportunities and challenges, as well possible solutions and mitigation measures, which can be applied when developing large-scale grid infrastructure projects, including concrete examples from around the world
• - The launch of UNEZA’s report, Delivering Large-Scale Grid Infrastructure Projects, which captures global best practices for planning, financing, and delivering grid projects efficiently and sustainably.

UNEZA closed the week by thanking its Members and Partners for their collaboration and contributions to advancing collective action toward resilient, reliable, and decarbonized energy systems.

UNEZA at New York Climate Week 2025 reaffirmed the Alliance’s role as a bridge between ambition and action, uniting public and private actors to deliver the infrastructure, innovation, and investment essential to achieving global net zero goals.