National energy security is becoming more important than climate protection

The 'Siemens Infrastructure Transition Monitor 2025' confirms this: A resilient energy supply is considered a key government goal among the managers surveyed. In 2023, this aspect was still in third place. At the same time, energy independence and active management of climate risks are becoming increasingly important.

The Siemens study, based on a survey of 1,400 managers and government representatives in 19 countries, illustrates a fundamental shift away from a multilateral vision of clean energy towards a more national and regional approach. Energy resilience is no longer seen as a contradiction to the energy transition, but as its prerequisite.

"The infrastructure transition is entering a new phase in which national energy security goals are more important than global cooperation on decarbonization. In the face of increasing climate and energy challenges, resilience is not an option but a necessity. AI, technology and digitalization play a central role in this. They enable companies and governments to efficiently manage complex renewable energy systems, ensure a reliable supply and drive the transition to clean energy in a smarter and more sustainable way," explains Matthias Rebellius, Member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG and CEO of Smart Infrastructure.

From global transformation to national resilience

More than three out of five respondents (62%) expect future energy systems to rely more on local or regional production and less on global trade. Key success factors include the integration of renewable energies, sufficient storage capacities and modern electricity grids. At the same time, confidence in achieving climate targets is dwindling: More than half of managers expect investments in fossil fuels to increase, while only 37% believe they will be able to achieve their decarbonization targets by 2030.

The report is also intended as a wake-up call ahead of COP30: without a firm anchoring of resilience in energy planning, there is a risk of economic and ecological setbacks. Siemens emphasizes that targeted grid investments and digital innovations can help to accelerate climate targets and energy resilience at the same time.

AI is accelerating change

Digital technologies remain at the heart of the infrastructure transition. According to the study, digitalization is the second most important factor in accelerating the energy transition after the expansion of energy storage systems. Artificial intelligence in particular is seen as a key factor: 66% of respondents are convinced that AI strengthens the resilience of critical infrastructures; 59% use it specifically to decarbonize their operations.