Energy Transition
The global energy transition is reshaping the energy industry quickly, creating both risks and opportunities across all sectors. As markets evolve, energy companies must adapt their energy transition strategy. They must stay competitive while responding to decarbonisation pressures, shifting energy prices, and changing investor priorities.
At Westwood, we provide consulting, energy data, and market intelligence to help clients navigate the global energy transition. Our insight supports decision-making across investment, strategy development, and the identification of high-value opportunities in a rapidly changing landscape.
Our work spans multiple energy sectors, supporting clients with energy transition solutions, renewable consulting, and the wider decarbonisation of energy systems.
Offshore Wind, Energy Transition & Supply Chain
The energy transition refers to the structural shift in how energy is produced, distributed and consumed globally. Historically, energy systems evolved from biomass to coal, then to oil and natural gas. Today, the transition is driven by the need for energy decarbonisation, reduced carbon footprint, and the development of renewable energy sources.
The net zero energy transition aims to limit global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving net zero by 2050. This requires a large-scale transformation across the energy industry, including the power sector, transport, and industrial processes. This includes the shift towards a low carbon energy transition, where cleaner technologies and fuels reshape how energy is produced and consumed.
Achieving this shift will depend on:
- Scaling green energy and low-carbon technologies such as green hydrogen
- Expanding renewable energy projects across global markets
- Improving energy efficiency and reducing energy costs
- Investing in infrastructure such as power grids and energy storage
Read more on our explainer pages.
The Role of Oil and Gas in the Transition
While the energy transition aims to cut emissions, oil and gas will still play a role for decades.
Many energy companies are adapting their energy transition strategy by:
- Reducing operational emissions
- Investing in low carbon technologies
- Diversifying into renewable energy industry segments
- Supporting carbon capture and storage initiatives
Hydrocarbons remain essential to global supply, particularly in sectors where alternatives are not yet scalable. As a result, the transition is not a simple replacement, but a gradual evolution of the energy system.
Energy Transition Drivers and Market Dynamics
The pace of the global energy transition is shaped by policy, economics, and technological innovation. Governments in the United States, European Union, and United Kingdom are setting ambitious net zero targets. These targets are driving investment and regulatory change.
At the same time, market forces are shaping the pace of the transition in each region. These include energy prices, supply chain limits, and shifting energy demand.
Key dynamics include:
- Rising demand for renewables electric generation
- Volatility in energy prices and energy futures markets
- Growth in investments in renewable infrastructure
- Increasing pressure on energy companies to reduce environmental impacts
While the transition is global, progress varies by region. Mature markets are advancing rapidly, while others remain dependent on hydrocarbons due to economic and infrastructure constraints.
Energy Transition Opportunities and Investment
The transition is creating significant energy investment opportunities across multiple sectors. From offshore wind and solar to hydrogen and carbon capture, new markets are emerging at scale.
For investors and operators, identifying energy transition opportunities requires access to reliable energy data, energy forecasts, and a robust global energy assessment.
Key areas of opportunity include:
- Large-scale renewable energy projects
- Hydrogen production and power-to-X solutions
- Electrification of industrial processes and transport
- Expansion of grid infrastructure and energy storage
This includes emerging technologies, evolving energy products, and new business models across global markets.
Understanding short term market shifts and long term trends is key to capturing value in the energy transition industry.
Ready to identify your energy transition opportunities? Speak to Our Analysts
Our latest insights
on Energy Transition
Our research platforms and publications provide ongoing insight into the global energy transition. They help clients stay ahead of market developments.
These include:
- Regular energy market intelligence reports
- Podcasts and expert commentary on emerging trends
- Data dashboards tracking global activity across key sectors
How We Support Energy Transition Strategies
We deliver energy transition services and consulting to support organisations at every stage of the transition.
Our consulting capabilities include:
- Strategy development
- Market entry and growth planning
- Identification of energy transition investment opportunities
- Commercial due diligence and risk assessment
- Benchmarking across the energy industry
By combining renewable energy consulting with deep expertise in traditional energy markets, we help clients navigate complexity and make confident strategic decisions.
Energy Transition Data, Forecasting and Intelligence
High-quality data is critical to understanding market direction and making informed decisions.
At Westwood, we provide:
- Comprehensive energy databases covering global projects and markets
- Detailed global energy demand forecasts
- Scenario-based energy forecasts aligned with net zero pathways
- Integrated analysis across energy transition sectors
Our energy market intelligence combines technical, commercial, and policy insight. It gives a clear view of how the global energy transition is changing. Our datasets cover a wide range of energy generators, from traditional assets to renewable infrastructure.
Featured subsectors
Climate & Emissions Insights for the Energy Sector
Benchmark emissions performance, assess emissions reduction options and understand the role of carbon markets.
Carbon Capture, Utilisation & Storage Insights for the Energy Sector
Benchmark emissions performance, assess emissions reduction options and understand the role of carbon markets.
Offshore Wind Market Intelligence for the Energy Sector
Benchmark emissions performance, assess emissions reduction options and understand the role of carbon markets.
Hydrogen Market Intelligence for the Energy Sector
Benchmark emissions performance, assess emissions reduction options and understand the role of carbon markets.
FAQs
What is net zero?
Net zero refers to balancing greenhouse gas emissions with removal from the atmosphere, a core objective of the net zero transition.
Why is the energy transition important?
It is essential for reducing climate impacts, improving energy security, and supporting long-term sustainability across the energy industry.
What drives the global energy transition?
Key drivers include policy, technology innovation, energy prices, and increasing investment in renewable energy sources.
Credentials
Westwood’s first market forecast for the global offshore wind market is published
Number of New Energy projects in our UK and Norway database, comprising Offshore Wind, Hydrogen and CCS
Number of Offshore wind Projects in our database
Emissions intensity (kgCO2/boe) of oil and gas in Norway by 2025, compared to the current 2022 forecast 7.0 kgCO2/boe , and UK’s 20.9 kgCO2/boe
In order to get to net zero, it’s going to require an entire rewiring of our economy... and that means we have to decarbonise all sectors right, spanning energy supply and energy demand.
ET Now Podcast Ep.19
We support clients across the energy transition industry, delivering insight into both traditional and emerging energy markets.
Recent work includes:
- Global assessments of offshore wind and renewable market potential
- Development of proprietary energy databases for emerging sectors
- Strategic analysing of supply and demand dynamics across global energy markets
- Forecasting of opportunities across multiple regions
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