The infrastructure investment landscape has been reshaped in recent years in ways few could have predicted a decade ago.
After we emerged from the tragedies of the pandemic with new ways of interacting, travelling and doing business, we were soon hit by escalating geopolitical volatility, surging costs and rising interest rates.
Despite those many challenges, our latest GIIA/ EY Global Asset Database shows our investor community is growing rapidly.
Our members now collectively hold 2,750 stakes in more than 2,400 assets, equating to $1.6trn in infrastructure assets under management across 70 countries.
Investment is increasing across utility, transport and energy networks, with projects in the renewables, clean tech and communication sectors of growing appeal to international investors.
Our members now serve 120 million utility customers annually and facilitate 23 million road journeys daily.
Of course, we couldn’t forecast the emergence of every market force we face today ten years ago, but the need to decarbonise portfolios and up renewable energy generation was well established.
Our new database shows the GIIA community of pension, sovereign wealth and wider investment funds increasingly playing their part in the worldwide attainment of net zero targets.
Its ownership of solar and wind generation capacity has soared to 60,000 MW and 120,000 MW respectively – more than 10% of all global capacity – whilst their collective electric vehicle charging network now tops 14,000 stations.
They are also playing a fundamental role in connecting communities and increasing productivity, holding 800,000 telecommunications towers and more than 700 data centers.
Looking ahead, the future naturally always holds more uncertainties than it does certainties.
One thing’s for sure though, with net zero targets closing in, it’s never been more important for governments to work with our members to unlock more of the billions in dry powder they have ready to deploy for the right opportunities.
The full GIIA/EY Global Asset Database can be downloaded from this page. Image courtesy of Freepik.