SDG7 aims for affordable, reliable energy for all by 2030. Despite 92% of the global population having basic electricity access, 750 million people still do not, and rising energy costs risk widening inequalities. Strong regulatory frameworks drive investment and development, ensuring affordability, while weak policies slow progress. Coordinated action from governments, regulators, utilities, and innovators is needed to lower costs, close the access gap, and unlock a truly inclusive energy future.

Water is inseparable from the energy conversation. As the backbone of power generation, cooling, and industrial processes, it faces growing strain from climate change, population growth, and rapid digitalisation. The expansion of data centres and AI infrastructure has made water use for cooling a major strategic issue globally, especially in the Middle East. Multi-stakeholder action - from investing in reuse and desalination to improving data and governance systems - can strengthen resilience. Building water security is essential for climate adaptation and sustainable economic growth.

The energy transition is entering a new phase: capital is available, but too few investable projects  are ready to absorb it efficiently. Despite global clean energy investment surpassing USD 3 trillion in 2025, permitting, regulatory, and delivery bottlenecks slow progress. Water networks face similar pressures, with global investment needs exceeding USD 13 trillion over the next decade. Many utilities lack funds to modernise aging infrastructure and are exploring alternative financing models. Aligning risk frameworks, ensuring regulatory certainty, and promoting cross-border cooperation will help direct capital to the right projects at the right time. Without timely intervention, utilities and communities will struggle to upgrade the vital systems they depend on.

The ability to deliver stable, reliable power in a rapidly changing environment is becoming a strategic imperative. As renewable penetration grows, transmission and distribution infrastructure must evolve to accommodate new patterns of generation and demand. A combined approach - efficiency, flexibility, and smart grids - can strengthen utilities, helping reduce peak loads, ensure reliable power, and balance supply and demand. Empowered customers, with smart meters and digital services, play a key role in enhancing system stability. This blueprint helps policymakers future-proof energy infrastructure for a reliable and sustainable power system.

Renewable energy and water systems rely on continuous innovation. Digital transformation improves grid efficiency, increases renewable integration, and enables smarter demand management.  In the water sector, it facilitates intelligent distribution, energy-efficient treatment, and leak reduction. Progress in hard technologies, such as solar, wind, energy storage, and desalination - remains essential, while sensors, AI, and advanced analytics are reshaping how energy and water are produced and managed. Digital transformation is becoming the critical enabler of next-generation infrastructure: more responsive, adaptive, resilient, and customer-centric.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the global economy - and the power sector is feeling its impact first. By 2030, data centres will require $7 trillion in investment, resulting in an increase in global electricity consumption from 1% to 3%. AI’s growing appetite for power poses serious challenges for system planning, grid reliability, and water use for cooling. Yet, at the same time, AI offers unprecedented tools for optimisation - from predictive maintenance to real-time balancing. To ensure sustainable AI growth, we need coordinated efforts in policy, finance, technology, and market development

The energy transition relies on people as much as technology. Energy and water sectors require advanced digital, technical, and cross-disciplinary skills, yet significant gaps remain, particularly in ICT access, digital literacy, and gender diversity. Women represent 39% of the global workforce but only 20% in energy, limiting innovation. Utilities face shortages of engineers, technicians, and digital specialists as grids expand and technologies diversify. Governments, regulators, and companies must build a skilled, diverse, future-ready workforce through training, reskilling, and industry–academia collaboration. Global initiatives led by IRENA and UNEZA are driving progress to foster innovation.

Policy certainty is a system-wide priority for the energy transition, encompassing governance and technology. By 2025, over 60 nations will have integrated policies balancing economic growth, climate commitments, and water security. Reforms focus on transparency, accountability, inclusive decision-making, market evolution, and gender diversity. Stable, predictable policies enable investors to plan, utilities to allocate capital efficiently, and customers to benefit from lower costs. Governments must provide both ambition and certainty, balancing flexibility and consistency to build trust, attract investment, and accelerate progress towards a cleaner, fairer, and net zero energy future.