Conference of the Parties
COP31

From pledge to pipeline: powering “35 by 35”

As COP31 convenes in Antalya, electrification has become the organizing theme of global climate action. The COP31 Presidency’s flagship goal, raising electricity’s share of final energy demand from just over 20% today to 35% by 2035, sets a clear destination. The question now is who builds the grids, who supplies the equipment, and who finances and carries the risk.

Our perspective on COP31: From pledge to bankable pipeline

The ambition isn’t the problem. The pace is. Electricity’s share of energy use has historically risen slowly, and reaching 35% by 2035 means accelerating that shift several times over, across every region and sector at once. The transition should be measured not by gigawatts announced, but by gigawatts connected.

Leaders have framed four pathways to the target: tripling renewables, doubling grid investment, electrifying end-use sectors and lowering the cost of capital. Our work focuses on the barriers that stand between today’s commitments and projects that actually get built:

Grids and permitting: Helping grid operators, regulators and developers shorten connection queues and invest ahead of demand, so ready projects aren’t left waiting for the network.
Supply chains and competing demand: Supporting manufacturers and buyers in securing transformers, cables, switchgear and batteries through long-term commitments, as data centers and AI add new pressure on capacity and equipment.
Capital and risk: Helping investors, development banks and project sponsors close the cost-of-capital gap in fast-growing markets, where who absorbs early-stage risk often decides whether a project is viable.

Transforming the Power Sector by 2030

COP31 event hosted by Roland Berger and IRENA
10 November | Global Renewables Hub, Antalya, Türkiye

Leaders from utilities, grid operators, technology providers and finance will tackle strategies to unlock investment within the next 24 months. Outcomes will feed into the COP31 Electrification Initiative.

The business case for electrification is already here. What’s missing is the grid to carry it. Every euro we invest in networks today decides how fast clean power reaches customers tomorrow.

Torsten Henzelmann

Senior Partner, Managing Director Central Europe

Frankfurt Office, Central Europe

Electrifying heat, mobility and industry unlocks major efficiency gains: we need less primary energy for the same output, which strengthens competitiveness across the entire economy. The grid is what makes this possible. Building it out isn’t a cost center – it’s the foundation of our future prosperity.

Yvonne Ruf

Senior Partner

Dusseldorf Office, Central Europe

The money for the energy transition exists, but it doesn’t always flow where it’s most efficient in reducing CO2 emissions. Reducing the cost-of-capital in emerging markets is one of the biggest levers to accelerate electrification.

David Frans

Senior Partner

Frankfurt Office, Central Europe

Turning targets into connected capacity

The political targets are set. Meaningful progress now depends on the unglamorous work of permitting, procurement and project finance. By helping clients build ahead of demand, make demand bankable and share risk differently, we help close the gap between what has been pledged and what gets plugged in.

Explore our studies on electrification and related topics to learn more.

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