Thematic Investing

Smart Energy

Energy is shifting from fossil fuels to electrons as electrification and digitization reshape the value chain. Smart Energy goes far beyond renewables and invests across transmission infrastructure, integration systems and energy-efficient consumption across the global economy including data centers, factories, buildings and vehicles.

  • 6x

    the rate at which global electricity demand is outpacing energy demand through 20351

  • 600

    bln USD, annual grid investments to match increased power demand2

  • 50%

    expected growth in US power demand from data centers3

Developed markets are entering a new phase, shifting from replacement of assets and decarbonization toward meeting rapidly accelerating power demand this decade. As electrification and digitalization accelerate, electricity demand is set to surge, increasing the need for energy efficient equipment, power infrastructure and smart energy applications.

Why invest in smart energy?

The electrification of the global economy is entering a new phase. It is no longer just about how energy is generated, but increasingly about how electricity is delivered, stored, and used across industry, infrastructure, and daily life. Renewables are an essential part of the solution, but meeting rapidly rising power demand requires the electrification of entire value chains and downstream processes across the economy. Electrification is therefore central to solving the energy trilemma of energy security, affordability, and sustainability.

In Western markets, the focus is shifting from pure decarbonization toward accommodating accelerating electricity demand this decade. This transition requires substantial upgrades to aging power grids originally designed for fossil fuel systems, in order to transform them into intelligent, digital, and flexible networks. As electrification and digitalization intensify – driven by AI, data centers, and automation – electricity demand is set to surge, significantly increasing the need for energy efficient equipment, power infrastructure, and smart energy solutions.

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More about the strategy

From power generation and grid infrastructure to energy storage, power conversion and control equipment as well as energy efficient solutions across transportation, buildings and digital infrastructure, the Smart Energy strategy invests across the full energy value chain. It targets the technologies, solutions and services required to expand, modernize and efficiently power a rapidly electrifying global economy.

Boost the power of your portfolio with an investment in Smart Energy.

Energy Investment Opportunity

Learn about the robust economic, political and technological drivers that make Robeco’s Smart Energy strategy a striking investment proposition for your portfolio.

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