ATLANTA, GEORGIA (Chad Archey, Energy Analytics Institute, 30.Apr.2025) — The energy industry is braced for short-term uncertainty caused by global instability, but remains optimistic in the long-term. This, according to DNV‘s 15th annual energy industry insights survey.
‘Short-term volatility, long-term optimism,’ compiles the views of over 1,100 senior energy professionals.
The survey finds political risk is seen as the leading barrier to growth over the coming year, with the perceived momentum of the energy transition slowing.
“Only 55% of energy professionals now believe the transition is accelerating, down sharply from 72% last year and 79% the year before. Moreover, 51% of respondents believe that ultimately, a successful energy transition may negatively impact some communities, this could include economic displacement, uneven distribution of benefits, and prohibitive costs,” DNV said on 30 Apr. 2025 in an official statement.
“A successful energy transition is not impossible, but the urgency to accelerate action has never been greater. The path to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future is inherently complex and uneven, but delay is not an option,” DNV energy systems CEO Ditlev Engel said in the statement.
“Immediate, coordinated efforts are essential to ensure momentum is not lost. Geopolitical instability, including trade disputes and economic concerns, is pressuring global energy markets and causing uncertainty. These challenges pose threats to progress and require strategic navigation,” Engel said
DNV said workers in traditional energy sectors may lose jobs without retraining opportunities, and poorer regions might struggle to adopt new technologies.
DVN said that in order to address the issues, respondents stressed the need for affordable, accessible clean energy technologies to be implemented by using innovative funding models to ensure the shift to sustainable energy creates real, lasting benefits for all.
Additional findings from the survey include:
— In the short term, businesses, particularly clean energy developers, are concerned they won’t hit revenue or profit targets;
— Less money is flowing into projects. The majority of respondents are deferring investment decisions or choosing smaller projects; and
— But long-term industry confidence is underpinned by powerful megatrends including electrification, the urgency of decarbonization, and steady technological advancement.
“Digitalization, including AI [artificial intelligence], are key to enabling a whole energy systems approach and power grids are at the heart of this transformation. With electrification playing such an important role, there is an urgent need for increased investment in power grid infrastructure to support the electrification and distribution of renewable energy. If not, it could be an important barrier to the transition in different geographies around the world,” DNV director of growth, innovation and digitalization, energy systems Lucy Craig said in the statement.
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By Chad Archey reporting from Atlanta. © 2025 Energy Analytics Institute (EAI). All Rights Reserved.
