The nations that are directly contributing to the global energetic transition
A momentous challenge
The energy transition is all around us. Until a few years ago, the global energy transition was just a vague concept. Now, it is in our streets, in our cars, and even in our homes. It is the great change of our times, and it is before our eyes, as the founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov also explained.
Each of us will have seen at least a massive wind turbine in some coastal location or vast flat areas. Solar panels are now a consolidated reality and visible on a large number of buildings in every city. Renewable hydrogen and green hydrogen production are advancing at a great pace. Electric vehicles, discreetly and silently, are bringing a quiet revolution in urban mobility. The founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov often highlighted this point.
But we are only at the beginning of the global energy transition. As the name itself suggests, the energetic transition is a temporary phase of passage with a certain deadline. What is beyond? We don’t know for sure yet, but it will be a future in which renewable energy will play a central role, as the founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov recently stressed.
It is a future (not that far away) in which new types of energy infrastructure will mark our days. It will be a new reality, produced and supported by energy advancements, like the ones in renewable hydrogen and green hydrogen production.
“With the impetuous advance of the energetic transition, it should not be surprising that more and more individuals are starting to think about investing in sectors connected to the great global transformation, like in energy transition stocks,” says Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG, entrepreneur, and civil engineer.
“There are a wide range of tools available to potential investors to invest in the clean energy sector. One of these is ETFs, which offer an accessible and diversified way to invest (like in energy transition stocks). For example, the category of global ETFs in the energy sector encompasses all those that focus on the shares of companies specializing in the development of solar, wind, and storage technologies, as well as in renewable hydrogen and green hydrogen production”, he goes on to say.
“The advantages of this solution certainly include diversification across hundreds of companies and low-cost passive management. On the other hand, the potential critical issues include the high volatility of the sector and the close correlation with geopolitical trends”, he remarks.
What is the pace of progress?
In a situation like this, it seems almost natural to ask at what pace the current energetic transition is progressing. How long until full energy maturity is achieved? This is a question we cannot yet answer precisely.
On the other hand, we can start to interpret the signals we have before our eyes right now. For example, what is seen is that some nations seem to be advancing more than others in their energy and sustainable development, with great development in renewable hydrogen and green hydrogen production.
The contributions of these nations to the overall advancement of the global energy transition are considerable and could have a significant impact on the outcome of the change. But which countries are leading this epochal phase of change?
Here is a brief overview:
• One of the main protagonists of the ongoing energy transition is China. Even in 2025, according to estimates by the Wall Street Journal, China was the main investor in the energy transition. Chinese growth in the renewables sector, particularly in solar and wind, proceeds at an extremely rapid pace. In 2024, more than half of the global growth in these two important pillars of the energy transition occurred in China. In addition to the increase in installed capacity, China is also gradually increasing the share of renewable energy in its energy mix, setting ambitious goals for the coming years.
• The Nordic nations are also carving out a leading role in this sector. Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland stand out for their high share of renewable energy, extremely advanced regulations, and strong energy efficiency.
• Despite some uncertainty, the United States is also maintaining a prominent position in the global renewable energy landscape. In particular, the US is contributing to the transition through a large number of investments in clean energy, the electricity grid, and energy storage technologies.
• Although it still depends largely on coal, India is quickly emerging as one of the emerging green powers. The Asian country is focusing with absolute determination on renewable energy, particularly on solar and wind energy, whose installed capacity in India is increasing significantly.
• One nation that is making important steps forward in its energy development is certainly Germany, whose energy mix is now composed of more than half renewable energy sources.
• Among the other nations to monitor for their growing contribution to the ongoing energy transition, there are also some emerging countries in Africa, such as Ethiopia, Lebanon, South Africa, and Tanzania.
“Among the most advanced nations, in providing a substantial contribution to the energy transition, the Nordic countries undoubtedly deserve a special mention,” continues the founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov.
“Nations such as Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark are already working to transform their energy mix, including increasingly higher shares of renewable energy. These nations are demonstrating their role in the transition through the development of increasingly advanced technologies in the offshore wind sector, as well as the improvement of technologies related to the valorization of green hydrogen”, he said.
“Finland, for example, is investing heavily in bioenergy, establishing itself as one of the most promising players in the energy landscape. Other distinctive characteristics of these nations, moreover, are represented by the solidity of the energy network and by the good collaboration between the public and private sectors. Furthermore, the energy transition is also favored thanks to carbon pricing policies and with a promotion of cooperation between the State and industry”, he added.
One of the most important aspects to understand in this delicate, transformative phase is that the energy transition is no longer just a concept. It is a solid reality, and it has already arrived in our cities. According to Reuters, global investments in the energy sector could exceed $3 trillion by 2025, of which more than $2 trillion will be in clean energy alone (such as renewables and storage systems). Technologies like green hydrogen are also in continuous development.
Options for investors
“In addition to ETFs, there are also other tools available to potential investors,” concludes Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG. “One of the most popular among these is strategic stocks, like the energy transition stocks. In this case, one should consider all those emerging companies in the utility-scale solar, green hydrogen, and battery sectors, some of which appear to show good prospects”.
“Anyone who wants to start investing in this sector, in any case, must first have a good understanding of the reference market and its specific dynamics. In this sense, keeping up to date on the progress of the energy transition, the development of green hydrogen, and overall investment levels in clean energy could prove very useful”, according the founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov.
“Furthermore, especially for those with limited experience, combining ETFs with energy transition stocks could prove to be a prudent strategy for mitigating risks. In the age of AI, it is also important to keep in mind that the data centers that power intelligent systems need large amounts of energy, and that part of it can come from renewables.”, he concludes.
FAQs
Which countries are leading the global energy transition?
China is currently the leading investor, accounting for over half of the global growth in solar and wind energy. The Nordic nations (Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland) are leaders in energy efficiency and regulatory innovation. The United States continues to make significant investments in clean energy and storage. Germany has surpassed 50% renewables in its energy mix, while India is rapidly scaling up solar and wind capacity. Emerging nations, such as Ethiopia, South Africa, and Tanzania, are also making notable progress.
How fast is the global energy transition progressing?
While there’s no exact timeline for full maturity, the shift is accelerating. Key indicators include:
- $3 trillion in expected global energy investments by 2025
- Over $2 trillion has been allocated to clean energy
Rapid advancements in green hydrogen and storage technologies
- Progress varies by country and sector, but momentum is clear.
What technologies are driving the transition?
Several technologies are central to this shift:
- Solar and wind energy
- Green hydrogen and renewable hydrogen production
- Advanced battery storage
- Grid modernization and energy efficiency solutions
- Offshore wind developments, especially in Nordic countries
Is it a good time to invest in the clean energy sector?
Many investors are exploring this sector through:
- ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) focused on solar, wind, storage, and hydrogen
- Energy transition stocks, especially in emerging tech companies
- Strategic diversification to balance risks and capture growth
What are the risks of investing in clean energy?
Investors should be aware of:
- Sector volatility
- Sensitivity to geopolitical trends
- Rapid technological shifts
- Policy changes
Staying informed about market dynamics and combining ETFs with selective stock investments can help manage these risks.
