The energy field is experiencing unprecedented developments. However, to capture the promise of these developments the energy industry, financial sector and policymakers must all take actions to attract the estimated $48 trillion needed in investments by 2035 to shore up and expand current energy infrastructure while laying the groundwork for sustainable and resilient energy systems of the future.

To help policymakers and the energy industry attract the necessary capital, the 2014 annual World Energy Trilemma report focuses on the challenges and opportunities of scaling up investments in energy infrastructure.

Building on the findings of the 2012 and 2013 editions, which captured the views of the global energy sector and policymakers respectively, the 2014 report captures the views of financial sector. The report draws on 50 interviews with institutional investors who cover a variety of geographic regions and executives from leading commercial banks, multilateral development banks, and pension funds. It identifies measures that must be taken to ensure the necessary capital is attracted to build and expand secure, affordable and environmentally sustainable energy systems.

The financing needs of the energy industry offer significant opportunities over the coming decades. Meeting these needs will also bring tremendous gains for economic competiveness and economic and social development across the globe.

BRINK spoke with François Austin, head of Oliver Wyman’s Energy Practice, to get his take on what the Trilemma report tells us, what it will take to attract capital to the energy sector, and the policy challenges of making that happen.