Having been flat for more than two decades, demand for power has started to surge in the developed world, and investors have taken notice. 

At the turn of the millennium, the US moved from a manufacturing to a service-led economy. So although it experienced strong economic growth, this shift, coupled with the fact that we saw efficiency gains in the electricity networks and the way we consume energy, meant energy demand did not increase.

Going into the 2030s and beyond, forecasters are expecting this to change, with a significant acceleration in energy demand. Electrification of transport and heating, digitalisation and the AI revolution are driving a structural step-change in electricity demand. In the US, power prices are rising at twice the rate of inflation*. This shift is mirrored in other parts of the developed world. In the UK, the National Energy System operator has estimated electricity demand will increase by 1.9-2.7x by 2050.

Looking further ahead, a few big, long-term trends are setting the tone for the sector:

Decarbonisation:

• Renewables generated more power than coal globally for the first time in the first half of 2025. Many governments, particularly across Europe, remain committed to net-zero targets and are extending incentives. There is also a focus on improving grids and batteries for energy storage. It’s estimated that $3.5tn of average annual capital investment in physical assets - on top of what is already spent - is needed to 2050 to build a net zero economy**.

Digitalisation:

• Data centres already consume ~1.5% of global electricity. In some countries, like Ireland, this rises to as much as 20% of national demand. As AI adoption accelerates, this will grow rapidly, and renewables will be needed to power it. 100 data centre operators have signed the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact, including Google, Microsoft, AWS and Meta. Digital Realty, one of the largest cloud, carrier-neutral data centre operators, has recently signed an agreement with Current Hydro supported by three planned hydroelectric projects in Ohio and West Virginia.

• EDPR, a holding within the TM Gravis Clean Energy Income Fund, has entered a partnership with Merlin Properties to develop 100MW of decentralised solar projects to support its data centre campus under development near Lisbon.
• In July, Brookfield Renewables - another holding in the TM Gravis Clean Energy Income Fund - and Google announced a first-of-its kind Hydro Framework Agreement to deliver up to 3,000 MW of domestic hydroelectric power across the US, making it the world’s largest clean power deal for hydro. The first $3bn of contracts under this agreement represent two 20-year PPAs providing 670 MW of capacity. This follows a similar announcement last year from Brookfield Renewables and Microsoft, with Brookfield to provide over 10.5 GW of renewable energy capacity between 2023 and 2030 in the US and Europe.

Deglobalisation:

• Energy security concerns and geopolitical tensions are encouraging more domestic power generation, with renewables a key way of achieving this. Solar, wind and battery storage can be deployed in a modular fashion and relatively quickly, and in most geographies, unlike fossil fuels, increase energy security with the ability to generate power domestically and avoid reliance on international commodity supply chains. This makes renewables the immediate solution to soaring energy needs and a bridge towards a new energy system.

Together, these themes underpin a multi-decade investment opportunity in clean energy infrastructure.

Defensive income:

• The Fund invests in listed companies that own and operate renewable generation, grid and storage assets. Revenues are typically contracted or regulated, offering stable, inflation-linked cash flows. They are less cyclically-sensitive. The Fund primarily provides exposure to operational infrastructure assets.

Attractive yield:

• Target yield of 4.5%, with a trailing 12-month yield over 6% (C Inc GBP)***.

Global diversification:

• Roughly 50% UK / 50% US today, shifting towards 60% global exposure as new infrastructure (grids, geothermal, storage) is added. Recent additions to the portfolio include Redeia, which via its subsidiary “Red Electrica”, operates Spain’s electricity transmission network infrastructure, and Italy’s power grid operator Terna Rete Elettrica Nazionale.

Evolving portfolio:

• Through investing in a diversified portfolio of listed securities the Fund’s exposure to underlying energy generation types can evolve as the opportunities, and government support evolves. Having begun life predominantly invested in solar and wind assets, hydroelectric generation and energy storage now feature more strongly. The Fund also has exposure to the increased energy demand from AI through holdings such as Brookfield Renewables.

Positioned for recovery:

• The Fund’s focus on operational, cash-generative assets means it’s well placed to benefit from rising demand and potential interest rate cuts. The sector is well-used to operating under tariffs and may be better equipped to navigate them than other industries.

Even with shifting political winds, the direction of travel is clear. The world needs more clean, reliable power, and fast. Electricity is becoming one of the world’s most valuable resources, with some commentators describing it as “the new gold”. As demand surges and supply struggles to keep up, access to cheap, reliable electricity is now seen as a key measure of economic and technological power. Renewables and grid infrastructure are the only technologies ready to meet the demand at scale.

Around half of the TM Gravis Clean Energy Income Fund holdings are investment companies which are currently trading on an average 28.5% discount to net asset value, representing a terrific entry point for new investors into the global renewables infrastructure sector.

Institutional investors have recognised the opportunity and there has been a huge volume of transactions in the sector. For example, in February, Innergex was taken private by CDPQ at a 58% premium to the undisturbed share price. In June, Harmony Energy was acquired by Foresight Group at net asset value. Will retail investors now also grasp the opportunity?

The long-term case for clean energy infrastructure is stronger than ever and the TM Gravis Clean Energy Income Fund provides an efficient, income-focused way to access that growth.

*Source: Bloomberg Energy Daily, Spiralling Power Costs are now a major political issue in the US. 23^rd September 2025.

**Source: McKinsey & Company, The Net Zero Transition, What it would cost, what it could bring, January 2022.

***Source: FE Analytics, total returns in sterling for the Fund’s C Acc GBP share class and ETF’s GBP share class as at 20 October 2025.

Important information

This article is issued by Gravis Advisory Limited (“GAL” or the “Firm”)), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. GAL’s registered office address is 24 Savile Row, London, United Kingdom, W1S 2ES. The company is registered in England and Wales under registration number 09910124.

The TM Gravis Clean Energy Income Fund (the “Fund”) is a sub-fund of TM Gravis Funds ICVC, which is a UK UCITS scheme and an umbrella company for the purposes of the OEIC Regulations. The Authorised Fund Manager of TM Gravis Funds ICVC is Thesis Unit Trust Management Limited (TUTMAN), Exchange Building, St John’s Street, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1UP. TUTMAN is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. GAL is the investment manager of the Fund.

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GAL does not offer investment advice and this article should not be considered a recommendation, invitation or inducement to invest in a Fund. Prospective investors are recommended to seek professional advice before making a decision to invest.

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