Global Corporate Survey 2026: Corporate Energy Leaders’ Investment Priorities, Plans And Tech Preferences

Report
Corporate Energy Leaders
Connor Taylor
Connor Taylor
Ryan Skinner
Ryan Skinner
27 May, 2026

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Executive Summary

Corporate energy leaders have seldom, if ever, been as much in the spotlight as they are today. They are expected to contribute to ongoing decarbonization goals, while adapting to the latest geopolitical crises. They also face increasing competition for power from energy-intensive data centres – and where they support such operations, they must meet their substantial energy demands. Technology firms have a critical role to play, but doing so effectively requires a deep understanding of leaders’ priorities and challenges. Verdantix has surveyed 350 corporate energy decision-makers globally to examine their needs, planned investments and timelines. Executives in product, marketing or strategy functions at organizations selling to these leaders should use this report to develop a solution and proposition that stands out.  
Summary for decision-makers
Firms’ energy plans unite efficiency, risk management and decarbonization imperatives
Energy leaders are bullish about the energy transition
Energy price volatility and capital costs are the defining challenges for corporate energy leaders
Renewable energy procurement strategies are maturing rapidly
Energy procurement strategies target decarbonization, financial and resilience objectives
Buyers face significant market-based and internal challenges to procurement
Renewable procurement is now a cross-functional concern
Strategic optimism is disconnected from the reality of the operational transition
Five-year investment plans reflect decarbonization, efficiency and resiliency objectives
Organizations are very slowly opening the investment taps for energy interventions
Digital strategies have yet to encompass the full range of transition processes and assets
Energy digitization remains shaped by historic priorities – but not for long
Methodology for global corporate survey on energy leaders’ investment priorities, plans and tech preferences
Figure 1. Energy transition strategies are table stakes for businesses
Figure 2. Energy leaders report strong C-Suite support for the energy transition
Figure 3. Firms face significant challenges to the transition, such as price volatility and capital costs
Figure 4. Firms are redeveloping approaches to energy efficiency, data collection and DER implementation
Figure 5. Renewable procurement strategies must achieve varying objectives, from financial hedging to securing supply
Figure 6. Firms are adopting portfolio approaches to renewable energy procurement
Figure 7. Changing regulations are the greatest challenge to renewable energy procurement
Figure 8. Data challenges hamper energy procurement efforts
Figure 9. Energy procurement decisions are led by both energy and sustainability functions
Figure 10. Finance departments play an influential role in executing renewable energy procurement strategies
Figure 11. Firms will invest in technologies to achieve resiliency and flexibility, while reducing operational emissions
Figure 12. Widespread electrification will not be achieved for at least 10 years
Figure 13. Firms are shifting from easy energy wins to higher CAPEX technologies to decarbonize
Figure 14. Firms forecast major transition technology implementations over the next five years
Figure 15. Digital penetration for critical energy processes is hugely variable
Figure 16. Digital spend is concentrated on legacy use cases and systems
Figure 17. Energy leaders anticipate considerable digital spend increases over the next two years
Figure 18. AI maturation brings considerable disruptive potential across energy use cases
Figure 19. Respondents are located across three regions
Figure 20. Respondents come from five industries across commercial and industrial market segments

About the Authors

Connor Taylor

Connor Taylor

Principal Analyst

Connor is a Principal Analyst at Verdantix. He focuses on delivering research to help senior executives navigate decarbonization decision-making and build effective strategies...

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Ryan Skinner

Ryan Skinner

Research Director

Ryan is a Research Director at Verdantix, where he leads a team of analysts delivering research, data and advisory services that help clients navigate the fast-evolving landsc...

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