Booming Energy Demand From the AI Buildout Could Be Good News for This ETF in 2026

Core Insights - The demand for clean energy is surging due to the rapid growth of AI infrastructure, with major tech companies investing hundreds of billions annually in AI data centers [1][4] - AI data centers require massive amounts of electricity, leading to increased demand for clean energy sources [2][3] - The iShares Global Clean Energy ETF has seen a significant increase of 66% over the past year, outperforming major indices and oil companies, indicating strong investor interest in clean energy [4] Investment Landscape - The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that global electricity demand will rise by at least 40% by 2035, with investment in electricity generation reaching $1 trillion per year, a 70% increase since 2015 [5][6] - Renewable energy, particularly solar power, is expected to play a crucial role in meeting this demand, with solar capacity projected to double from 2025 to 2030 [7] - Off-grid solar systems are becoming increasingly popular, with 42% of solar expansion expected to come from distributed applications [8] ETF Performance and Holdings - The iShares Global Clean Energy ETF has averaged an annual return of negative 8.9% over the past five years, but has rebounded with a 46.6% gain in 2025 and over 10% year-to-date in 2026 [10][11] - The ETF focuses on companies involved in clean energy production, holding 102 stocks, with the top five holdings comprising about 37% of its portfolio [12][13] - Key holdings include Bloom Energy, Nextpower, First Solar, Iberdrola, and China Yangtze Power, which are involved in various aspects of renewable energy generation [15]