IEA – The State of Energy Innovation, 2026

The report focuses on energy technology innovation, covering technologies, policies, and funding at the forefront of energy technology development.

It provides a comprehensive assessment of recent progress and emerging challenges in energy innovation, analyzing over 150 innovation highlights from 2025 and surveying practitioners from more than 40 countries. Key trends include public and corporate R&D spending, venture capital flows, patenting activity, and policy developments. The report also updates progress towards the 18 IEA 'Races to First' initiatives and emphasizes the growing importance of competitiveness and energy security. It highlights the rise in energy-related patents and the emergence of over 320 new energy start-ups that secured first funding in 2025. Predictable funding and policy frameworks are identified as crucial for sustaining innovation momentum, with public support playing a major role in recent advances. Timely policy recommendations are included to support continued progress.