Global Energy Investment Reaches $3.3 Trillion in 2026, Coal Spending Surges

Investors poured a record $3.3 trillion into the global energy sector in 2026, according to the International Energy Agency and the World Economic Forum. Clean‑energy projects attracted about $2.2 trillion, with solar installations receiving roughly $600 billion, while fossil‑fuel spending remained high at around $1 trillion.

Coal investment climbed to $180 billion, the strongest level since 2012, driven largely by China, which accounts for 70% of the spending, and expanding projects in India and the United States. Advanced ultra‑supercritical technologies are being deployed to improve efficiency and reduce emissions.

The Energy Transition Index 2026 noted that overall transition readiness fell for the first time in over a decade, highlighting growing fragmentation and uneven capital allocation. Sub‑Saharan Africa stood out as the region with the strongest gains, thanks to expanding renewable projects and grid development.

Bloomberg expanded its Transition Toolkit to help investors stress‑test climate risks and assess portfolio emissions as capital continues to shift toward clean technologies despite geopolitical and supply‑chain challenges.