BELÉM, Brazil, November 16, 2025: The Utilities for Net Zero Alliance (UNEZA) has increased its annual investment target for renewable energy transmission and storage systems to USD 148 billion, up from its previous goal of USD 117 billion. The announcement was made at the COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, where the alliance outlined a growing pipeline of clean energy infrastructure projects valued at USD 1 trillion through 2030.
UNEZA, which brings together 73 of the world’s leading power utilities and electricity service companies, is coordinating large-scale investments in energy grids to accelerate the global transition to low-carbon power systems. The alliance aims to address bottlenecks in grid infrastructure that have slowed the integration of renewable energy into national and regional electricity networks.
The announcement coincided with the release of the Climate Finance Principles for Grids report by the Green Grids Initiative, which was endorsed by the governments of Germany and the United Kingdom, seven multilateral funds, and several international financial institutions. The report found that more than 60 percent of global transmission and storage projects are currently excluded from climate finance mechanisms due to restrictive eligibility criteria. It called for reforms to recognize grid modernization as a critical component of the clean energy transition.
COP30 discussions focus on sustainable finance and grid resilience
The analysis presented at COP30 identified electricity transmission as one of the most underfunded areas in the global decarbonization effort. Despite record growth in renewable generation capacity, infrastructure investments lag behind demand for clean energy integration. According to the report, the shortfall in grid financing has created supply constraints in several regions, limiting access to reliable renewable power and increasing system vulnerability to extreme weather events.
COP30 High-Level Climate Champion Dan Ioschpe said that while renewable generation continues to expand globally, investment in grid efficiency and resilience remains insufficient to support the scale of the energy transition. He noted that global investment in grid infrastructure increased by just 9 percent in 2024, highlighting a significant gap between renewable generation and the capacity of existing power networks. “If we can align capital, capacity, and collaboration, we can accelerate this transition together not as an obligation, but as the greatest economic opportunity of our generation,” Ioschpe said.
UNEZA initiative reflects shift toward practical infrastructure goals
UNEZA’s revised investment target reflects a growing recognition among governments, investors, and utilities that strengthening energy grids is essential to meeting global climate goals. The alliance’s members include operators from both advanced and emerging economies, representing a substantial share of the world’s electricity generation and transmission capacity. By pooling financial and technical resources, UNEZA aims to promote interoperability, efficiency, and stability across interconnected power systems.
The initiative is part of broader efforts at COP30 to scale up financing for infrastructure critical to achieving net-zero emissions. Discussions in Belém have focused on expanding access to sustainable finance, supporting developing economies in transitioning to clean power, and addressing the structural barriers that hinder large-scale investment in grid modernization. UNEZA’s expanded funding target signals a coordinated move within the utility sector to close the gap between renewable energy generation and grid deployment.
As countries implement national energy transition plans, the role of transmission and storage systems is expected to become increasingly central to achieving carbon neutrality, energy security, and resilience. The alliance’s commitment underscores a global shift toward practical, investment-driven approaches to decarbonization at a time when infrastructure remains a decisive factor in delivering clean, affordable, and reliable electricity worldwide. – By Content Syndication Services.