Energy Transition Index 2026: what the World Economic Forum tells us
The World Economic Forum's Energy Transition Index (ETI) 2026 benchmarked 120 countries and delivered a clear message: the energy transition keeps advancing, but increasingly unevenly and under strain. The report is dated June 18, 2026, and the executive summary is available on the WEF website.
What the index measures
The ETI assesses two big blocks: energy system performance, across three dimensions, which are security, affordability and sustainability, and transition readiness, which gathers the enabling conditions for future progress, such as policy, finance, innovation and infrastructure.
Key findings
- Fragmented progress: only 24% of countries improved at the same time on security, affordability and sustainability.
- The headline numbers still impress: in 2025, global energy investment reached US$3.3 trillion, renewables and nuclear generated 42% of electricity and renewable capacity grew by nearly 800 GW.
- Energy security got worse: it was the only performance dimension to decline (-0.9%), due to weaker reliability and supply conditions. Energy efficiency, on the other hand, improved in 92 economies.
- The “enablers” weakened for the first time in over a decade: finance and investment fell 1.8%, regulation and political commitment 1.2%, and innovation 1.1%.
- Concentrated capital: 75% of clean energy investment still goes to a few economies, while the countries expected to drive 80% of future electricity demand growth face financing costs two to three times higher.
- Grid bottleneck: more than 2,500 GW of projects are waiting for grid connection worldwide.
- New shocks: the report cites trade restrictions that affected US$2.6 trillion of commerce, export controls covering more than half of critical transition minerals, and the 2026 disruption of flows through the Strait of Hormuz, which triggered one of the sharpest energy price shocks since 2022.
- Rising demand: electrification, cooling, digital infrastructure and AI data centers are pressuring energy systems.
Who leads
Sweden leads the ranking for the third year in a row, and Nordic and European economies fill the top of the list. The summary highlights that China, Brazil, the United States, Germany and France also feature among the top performers, showing that countries across regions and income levels play a relevant role in the transition.
In the regional reading presented by the Forum's Roberto Bocca: the Nordics stay ahead, China is Asia's standout, India stands out for preparedness, the United Arab Emirates leads over the long term and Sub-Saharan Africa is gaining momentum.
The central message: energy security has changed meaning
The report argues that energy security is no longer only about securing fuel. It now includes grids, minerals, infrastructure, reliability and resilience. The Hormuz shock showed how quickly affordability gains can be reversed, especially for import-dependent economies.
Three priorities for the way forward
- Strengthen security, affordability and resilience.
- Unblock delivery by expanding infrastructure, especially grids.
- Increase “investability”, with stable policy, credible regulation and better risk-sharing.
What this means for companies
A ranking measures a country, but it is the company that faces the cost, reliability and timing of energy. Some points for management:
- Energy belongs in risk analysis. Price volatility, supply failures and connection delays are business risks and should be in the risk matrix alongside climate risks.
- Materiality and targets. Energy efficiency, consumption mix, scope 2 emissions and self-generation are topics many companies need to assess in light of their own operations.
- Reliable indicators. With the market paying more attention to cost of capital and investability, measured and verifiable energy and emissions data help with access to credit and investors.
- Value chain. Fragility in minerals, grids and logistics affects suppliers and deadlines. It is worth mapping dependencies.
- Reporting. Standards such as IFRS S1 and S2 ask companies to explain how climate and energy risks and opportunities affect their strategy and finances.
- Long-term planning. The report indicates that the window to strengthen foundations is open, but narrowing.
Talk to KICK
KICK Group supports companies in risk analysis, materiality, defining indicators and goals, and ESG reporting, including through the B.KICK platform. Want to understand how these topics show up in your business?
Write to contato@kickgroup.com.br. Source: World Economic Forum, Energy Transition Index 2026, executive summary.