Looking ahead to 2026, the energy sector is at a pivotal point, shaped by ongoing challenges and emerging new opportunities. After a year in which geopolitical tensions and economic pressures tested the industry’s resilience, the focus is shifting toward the development of creative strategies and gaining a thorough understanding of market trends. Four key themes will shape the environment for energy professionals and stakeholders into 2026 and beyond.

Power Bottlenecks Persist

Electricity demand continues to outpace the development of necessary infrastructure, creating significant bottlenecks. The explosive growth of data centers is a primary contributor to this strain. Utilities are balancing pressure to invest heavily in grid resilience and new generation capacity while attempting to keep rates stable for consumers. We expect an increased emphasis on   performance-based regulation, with utility incentives linked to outcomes such as reliability and cost control. Securing reliable power is no longer a given; it has become a central challenge that requires innovative solutions from a project’s inception.

The Rise of Creative Data Center Deal Structures

In response to these power challenges, the era of one-size-fits-all agreements is over. Developers and data center operators are increasingly relying on customized deal structures whereby the attorneys craft build‑operate‑transfer (BOT) or build‑own‑operate‑transfer (BOOT) arrangements paired with long‑term power purchase agreements (PPAs) to secure reliable power. These hybrid models allow specialized infrastructure providers to assume development and operational risk while giving energy‑intensive projects greater certainty around cost, timing, and supply, aligning development and offtake in ways traditional approaches no longer support.

Geopolitical Pressures and Economic Realities

The global geopolitical climate remains a key underlying factor shaping the energy market. Tensions in Iran, China, and Venezuela can drive volatility in oil prices. Although lower oil prices may benefit consumers, they can put pressure on oil and gas companies to diversify their portfolios, often accelerating investments in clean energy. This creates a complex dynamic in which changes in the fossil fuel market directly influence the speed and direction of the energy transition.

In addition, the interest rate environment will remain a decisive factor in financing utility-scale deals. After a period of tighter financial conditions,  Federal Reserve rate cuts are expected to lower borrowing costs and potentially boost deal activity as we head deeper into 2026. Any changes in monetary policy will impact the cost of capital. Project financing for major infrastructure will be highly sensitive to these macroeconomic shifts, requiring more conservative underwriting and an emphasis on risk management.

As the energy sector looks toward 2026, success will hinge on a sophisticated understanding of an increasingly dynamic legal, regulatory, and political landscape. The year ahead will test performance, judgment, and resilience. Companies and investors that proactively establish the right framework, build flexibility into their operating and investment structures, and adapt quickly will be best positioned to manage risk and capture outsized value in a more demanding environment.