Industry Insights 03 Jan 2026 views ( )

Artificial Intelligence Empowerment and Energy Transition Drive Global Project Financing into a New Era

Global project finance is entering a transformative era driven by surging energy demand, accelerating digitalization, and large-scale infrastructure upgrades, reshaping investment priorities worldwide. These insights come from a recent study commissioned by CSC, based on feedback from 200 project finance professionals, revealing a market shift toward more complex, capital-intensive projects and greater reliance on private capital.

CSC’s latest report, Project Finance at an Inflection Point: Adapting to New Realities1, highlights that the industry is rapidly expanding in scale and complexity, driven by capital increasingly targeting long-term strategic critical assets.

Seventy percent of respondents identified infrastructure as the strongest growth area in the future, followed by renewable energy (48%) and technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT, 43%). Within renewable energy, wind power exceeded expectations at 50%, while renewable natural gas and green hydrogen both stood at 41%, underscoring the accelerating momentum in energy transition technologies.

Regionally, Europe leads global prospects, with 39% of respondents expecting significant growth over the next three years, followed by the UK (35%), Asia-Pacific (32%), and North America (31%), reflecting a broad and diversified global landscape for investment projects.

Artificial intelligence data centers and rapid digitalization are driving soaring electricity consumption, reshaping investment priorities. Energy, TMT, transportation and social infrastructure, and critical minerals are expected to become the pillars of the next wave of project financing activity.

"AI has the potential to drive unprecedented growth in project finance, particularly in data centers and related infrastructure," said Christian Oakley-White, Managing Director and Head of Project Finance at CSC. "As data center usage shifts from cloud services to generative AI, demand for computing power, energy, and financing will grow exponentially. Unlike cloud infrastructure, which largely relies on internal cash flows from major tech companies, the anticipated $1.5 trillion gap in AI capacity will require a broader investor base and financing structures—from private equity and sovereign wealth funds to bank loans, public debt markets, and private credit."

Financing sources have become increasingly diversified. Over half of respondents (53%) now view private equity as a primary source of equity financing, alongside infrastructure funds and development finance institutions; meanwhile, 38% see private credit as an increasingly important funding channel. On the debt side, private debt (45%) is closely linked with infrastructure platforms (48%) and local (45%) and international (42%) syndicated loans.

Accelerated development brings greater execution pressure. Eighty percent of respondents cited KYC (Know Your Customer) requirements as the biggest challenge, followed by tight financing timelines (69%) and regulatory compliance (67%).

As a result, operational support is gaining importance: 60% of respondents consider innovative technological solutions offering real-time transparency as the most critical capability in a trustee and agency partner; 58% emphasize that comprehensive administrative and customized services are essential for managing complex cross-border, multi-stakeholder transactions.

"Global demand for new energy, infrastructure, and digital capabilities is outpacing traditional financing channels," said Bryan Gartenberg, Global Head of Sales and Managing Director for Project Finance and Loan Agency at CSC. "Private capital is filling this gap, but today's transactions require more than just funding. Stakeholders need partners with deep expertise and operational discipline to manage complex cross-border deals. Outsourcing to experienced trustee and agency service providers has become key to delivering large projects quickly and confidently."

Download the full CSC report, Project Finance at an Inflection Point: Adapting to New Realities: cscglobal.com/service/resources/project-finance-report-2026

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1 CSC partnered with PureProfile to survey 200 project finance professionals across the Americas, the UK, Europe, and Asia-Pacific to understand their views on trends and challenges shaping project finance.

About CSC

CSC is a leading provider of business administration and compliance solutions, offering industry-leading expertise and unparalleled global reach to alternative fund managers and capital markets participants. Leveraging deep institutional experience and tailored approaches, CSC delivers comprehensive fund administration, trustee, agency, and compliance services supporting a wide range of private and public market transactions, complex fund strategies, and scalable operations.

A trusted preferred partner for over 70% of firms on the PEI 300 list and 90% of Fortune 500? companies, CSC helps clients navigate complex operational and transactional challenges across more than 140 jurisdictions and diverse asset classes. With extensive global capabilities, our expert teams deliver customized solutions tailored to each client’s needs. Privately held and professionally managed since 1899, we combine global reach, local expertise, and innovative solutions to help clients succeed.

We are the business behind business?. For more information, visit cscglobal.com.

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