Electrification is gaining support from the business community

June 18, 2026

Source: E & M powernews

Many companies worldwide are turning to electrification to remain competitive and secure their energy supply. At the same time, a survey reveals shortcomings.

The vast majority of international companies now view electrification as a prerequisite for competitiveness and security of supply. Nine out of ten executives surveyed expect their companies to be largely electrified by 2035.

This is the conclusion reached by the international climate think tank E3G, based in London. Together with the “We Mean Business Coalition” and the “Global Renewables Alliance,” it presented the results of a global survey of 1,994 executives from medium-sized and large companies in 18 countries on June 15. The countries surveyed included Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, China, India, and others.

The survey took place in late April 2026, at a time of geopolitical tensions and ongoing uncertainties in the energy markets. According to the authors, the current situation is accelerating many companies’ desire to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.

Economic Benefits Expected

91 percent of respondents expect electrification to improve energy security. Additionally, 79 percent state that the current geopolitical situation has made the transition to electric technologies more urgent for their companies. At the same time, 90 percent expect that an electricity system based primarily on renewable energy would promote economic growth in their country

Participants see electrification primarily as an economic opportunity. 88 percent expect it to make their companies more competitive. 84 percent anticipate lower long-term operating costs. In addition, 80 percent believe that electrification will create additional jobs.
A clear consensus also emerges regarding the future energy supply. 82 percent of executives would like their countries to be supplied primarily with electricity from renewables. 90 percent support additional investment in solar energy, and 81 percent advocate for greater expansion of onshore wind energy.

E3G Executive Director Nick Mabey interprets the results as a signal to policymakers. Companies in major economies increasingly view greater use of clean electricity as a prerequisite for their competitiveness. Governments should therefore remove the barriers that are slowing down the transition.

Shortcomings in Grid Infrastructure and Policy Identified

Many companies are calling on policymakers to act more quickly. 72 percent believe that government support for the transition to electric technologies is too slow. Respondents cite a lack of incentive programs, political uncertainty during government transitions, lengthy approval processes, and unclear framework conditions for CO2 pricing as the biggest obstacles.

Companies are particularly critical of the state of the power grids. 89 percent advocate for additional investments in the expansion and modernization of the infrastructure. More than half of those surveyed already view existing grid capacities as an obstacle to electrification. In addition, 69 percent believe that companies are making faster progress with the transition than governments are in preparing the necessary power systems.

The study also highlights potential implications for the choice of business locations. 62 percent of executives state that they would consider relocating business operations if their government fails to provide sufficient support for electrification. The authors see this as a risk for countries that fail to meet the business community’s expectations when it comes to developing the necessary framework conditions.

Several emerging markets show particularly high levels of agreement. In Indonesia and Nigeria, 99 percent of the companies surveyed in each country expect extensive electrification by 2035 at the latest. In the Philippines, this figure stands at 97 percent, and in India at 96 percent. In Germany, 81 percent of respondents expect extensive electrification of their business processes by 2035. At the same time, 78 percent of German participants criticize what they see as the slow pace of political action.

The 70-page study“Powering Up: Business Perspectives on Electrification”is available for download online.

Author: Davina Spohn