Trilemma and Transition: The momentum to break barriers

Energy Industry Insights 2023

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Surveyed in December 2022 and January 2023, less than half of the global energy industry (39% of more than 1,300 senior energy professionals) are confident in meeting decarbonization and climate targets.

(Source: DNV, 2023, Trilemma and Transition: The momentum to break barriers)

Surveyed in December 2022 and January 2023, 4 in 10 energy professionals prioritize energy security in the energy trilemma, followed by clean energy (35%) and affordability (26%).

  • Just 1 in 6 believes the transition will deliver secure, clean, and affordable energy in the next decade, to all parts of the energy system in their country.
  • 4 in 10 see this being achieved in 10-20 years, while 1/3 believe this crucial outcome of the energy transition will not be realised until well into the 2040s.

There is general agreement on this outlook across regions, with only energy professionals in North America being slightly more conservative on the timeline.

(Source: DNV, 2023, Trilemma and Transition: The momentum to break barriers)

Early in 2022, 52% of oil and gas executives said that their organization would make acceptable profits if oil prices averaged USD 40 to USD 50 per barrel. In December 2022 and January 2023, only 39% felt the same, as a record year of profits for the oil and gas industry redefined the sector’s perception of acceptable profits.

(Source: DNV, 2023, Trilemma and Transition: The momentum to break barriers)

Out of over 1,300 senior energy professionals surveyed in December 2022 and January 2023:

  • 53% of oil and gas industry respondents say that their organization will increase investment in gas in 2023, up eight percentage points year-on-year. Some 43% expect to increase investment in oil, up nine percentage points.
  • In contrast, 80% of renewables respondents believe energy security concerns will lead to increased investment in renewables in the 2023.
  • 61% from across the energy industry say their company can become more profitable by improving sustainability.

(Source: DNV, 2023, Trilemma and Transition: The momentum to break barriers)

Surveyed in December 2022 and January 2023, three quarters of the energy industry says that supply chain issues are slowing down the transition, while less than half the industry (44%) expects a significant improvement in the availability of goods in 2023.

(Source: DNV, 2023, Trilemma and Transition: The momentum to break barriers)

Surveyed in December 2022 and January 2023, a mere fifth of respondents from the renewables sector say current transmission capacity planning is sufficient to enable the expansion of renewables. The power sector overwhelmingly (81%) points to an urgent need for greater grid investment.

(Source: DNV, 2023, Trilemma and Transition: The momentum to break barriers)

Surveyed in December 2022 and January 2023:

  • 52% of energy professionals expect their organization to invest in low-carbon hydrogen/ammonia
  • 49% in wind
  • 46% in solar
  • Over a third expect their organization to increase investment in CCUS
  • 6 in 10 say their organization is increasing investment in energy efficiency and digitalization, and half the industry is investing in energy storage technologies.

(Source: DNV, 2023, Trilemma and Transition: The momentum to break barriers)

Surveyed in December 2022 and January 2023, 88% of senior professionals from the renewables sector say accelerating permitting and licensing is critical to meeting climate goals Lack of policy/government support and permitting/licensing issues are consistently cited as the greatest barriers to growth.

(Source: DNV, 2023, Trilemma and Transition: The momentum to break barriers)

Surveyed in December 2022 and January 2023, some 40% of energy companies globally are finding it increasingly difficult to secure reasonably priced finance for projects. Regionally, finance is easier to access for organizations in North America and Europe. By sector, almost half of power companies (47%) are finding it increasingly difficult to secure financing, and 62% of industrial energy consumers.

(Source: DNV, 2023, Trilemma and Transition: The momentum to break barriers)

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