Last December, we wrote about the surge in global grid investment driven in part by AI data centres. The picture that has emerged since is even larger than the headline numbers suggested.

ARK Invest’s recently released Big Ideas 2026 report puts a figure on it. To meet projected global electricity demand by 2030, cumulative global investment in power generation will need to roughly double to around US$10 trillion. Deployments of stationary energy storage, the batteries that hold power on the grid, will need to scale around 19 times over the next five years.

The cost curves are the more interesting part of the story. Solar and battery costs continue to fall steeply with every cumulative doubling of capacity. Nuclear, after 50 years of cost stagnation driven by regulation, is showing early signs of resuming its decline. ARK’s research suggests that without the regulatory shifts of the 1970s, US electricity prices would be around 40% lower today.

What this means is that the next decade of energy investment is not just about more power. It is about a structural shift in how power is generated, stored and priced, with capital flowing across solar, batteries, nuclear, grid infrastructure and storage at the same time.

At Newealth, we look at themes like this with a long view. Large structural shifts in capital allocation tend to reward patient, disciplined investors. If you would like to talk through how energy and infrastructure fit into your broader strategy, please contact us.

General Advice Warning:

The information in this blog is general in nature and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider whether the information is appropriate for you and seek professional advice before making any financial decisions.
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