73% of US executives say economic uncertainty is hindering investment in the energy transition, according to Beazley’s latest Spotlight on Energy Transformation 2026 finds.
This comes as escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz are heightening energy security fears, while the rapid growth of energy-intensive technologies underscores the pressing need for alternative energy solutions.
The report, which surveyed 3,500 global business leaders, underscores a massive trillion-dollar transition opportunity that is currently being hampered by a number of risks that are raising barriers to capital deployment and delaying investment decisions – highlighting the need to transfer risk to unlock capital.
According to the report progress is being slowed by several key execution challenges, even as the commercial opportunity grows, including:
- Supply chain pressures, with 36% as US executives identifying transition-led delays as a top three macro risk
- Infrastructure limitations, as legacy systems are struggling to adapt to clean, distributed energy technologies
- Policy uncertainty, amid fragmented regulations and tariff pressures
- Limited access to capital, as risk and uncertainty deters investment
- A lack of historical performance data, making risks harder to price and transfer
To navigate these interconnected challenges, specialty insurance provides the assessment and pricing necessary to manage risk, granting investors the confidence required to fund and advance transition projects.
Kelly Malynn, Head of Transition & Emerging Risk, Beazley, commented:
“From surging energy demand driven by technological transformation to the need for greater energy security and resilience, the energy transition is one of the biggest commercial opportunities of our time. But ambition is running ahead of readiness, with many businesses and infrastructure struggling to advance.
“Specialty insurance has a critical role to play. Our sector has been at the forefront of every major technological and energy shift, and now is the time for the industry to step up again. By adapting at pace, crafting the solutions, and pooling our industry’s cross-disciplinary expertise and risk data, we can support businesses to move forward at scale. It is critical that we act now, because the energy transition will not wait.”
