Powering the UK’s path to growth

PwC UK Energy Survey 2025

Technology, AI, automation and electrification are increasing energy demand, making net zero a moving target. How can the UK balance economic growth, its clean power ambitions, affordability, and the pace of change?

Will the UK have enough energy to power its growth aspirations?

Energy-intensive technologies, including AI, are key drivers reversing a 20-year trend of electricity consumption decline in the UK.

The so-called energy trilemma – cost, carbon and security – now has an extra dimension: the need to supply enough stable and affordable power to unlock growth and productivity through technology-driven automation.

At stake is not just our clean energy ambitions, but also our global competitiveness. A whole-system view is essential to align business growth and net zero targets, balancing them with tough economic realities and the levers that will need to be put in place to drive growth.

Download the PwC UK Energy Survey 2025

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92%

expect energy price volatility to increase prices of their products and services in the next 12
83%

expect their energy consumption to increase over the next 12 months
47%

have committed to net zero by 2030, up from 28% last year
#1

biggest barrier to achieving energy goals is high capital costs

The funding gap: who pays?

Private capital is a critical strategic pool of funding that can move the needle on the UK’s Industrial Strategy and clean power objectives. We tested the findings of this year’s Energy Survey with a group of private capital investors with investment mandates spanning the risk spectrum (including venture capital, private equity and infrastructure funds). Download the survey for their perspectives on the current barriers to investing into demand-side energy solutions and what is needed to create the confidence to unlock this much needed wall of capital.