Top Clean Energy and Battery Stocks to Buy in the AI Power Surge

Global Clean Energy Investment Surpasses Fossil Fuels

Global investment in clean energy is reaching unprecedented levels, driven by a combination of technological advancements, rising power demand, and geopolitical concerns. According to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) World Energy Investment 2026 report, capital flows into the clean energy sector are expected to reach $2.2 trillion this year. This figure nearly doubles the $1.2 trillion allocated to fossil fuels, with clean energy investments accounting for almost 65% of global energy spending.

This surge in investment is fueled by three key factors: the increasing reliance on electricity, the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, and global geopolitical instability. Electricity-related spending now makes up nearly 60% of all global energy investment, with total investment in power supply and grid infrastructure projected to hit $1.6 trillion this year. When including end-use electrification such as electric vehicles and heat pumps, the total investment is expected to rise to $2 trillion.

The Role of AI in Driving Energy Demand

The rapid buildout of AI infrastructure has introduced a new source of power demand. Data centers that run complex, large language models require vast amounts of continuous electricity. Tech giants have emerged as the largest group of corporate clean energy buyers, securing roughly 40% of all global corporate Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) signed last year. As data center power consumption is projected to nearly double by 2030, renewables remain the primary solution for meeting this growing demand.

Geopolitical Instability and Energy Security

Recent geopolitical instability in the Middle East has highlighted the vulnerabilities of long-distance fossil fuel supply chains, making energy security a top national priority. Net energy importers are increasingly turning to domestic, widely distributed clean energy assets such as solar, wind, nuclear, and localized storage to protect their economies from external supply shocks and price volatility.

Renewable Energy Surpassing Coal

Renewables are on track to become the world’s largest source of electricity generation in 2026, overtaking coal after reaching near parity in 2025. According to the IEA, renewable generation is poised to expand its share of total global electricity generation from 33% in 2025 to 37% by 2027.

The Importance of Energy Storage

At this critical juncture, it is essential to note that achieving this target will require equivalent or greater energy storage capacity. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are crucial for grid reliability, as they can capture excess generation and dispatch power during peak hours. This turns variable power into a steady, 24/7 energy supply while preventing grid overloads and blackouts.

With rapidly falling battery costs, renewable-plus-storage setups are becoming economically superior to traditional fossil fuel peaker plants. The IEA estimates that global investment in battery storage will surpass $100 billion this year, solidifying energy storage as the central engine supporting the global clean energy rollout.

Investment Opportunities in Clean Energy

For investors looking to capitalize on the booming renewable energy and energy storage space, several core clean energy stocks are worth considering. These include:

• Bloom Energy – specializes in on-site, non-combustion solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology, providing 24/7, low-carbon electricity for data centers, microgrids, and industrial use.
• GE Vernova – offers a broad portfolio spanning onshore and offshore wind, grid and storage solutions, and next-generation power technology.
• Vestas Wind Systems – a renowned designer, manufacturer, installer, and service provider for wind turbines across the globe.
• Ameren – a utility company that generates and distributes electricity and natural gas in Missouri and Illinois.

These companies are well-positioned to benefit from the ongoing energy transition and the growing demand for clean energy solutions.

Key Developments in Clean Energy Companies

Bloom Energy

On June 30, 2026, BE announced the expansion of its strategic partnership with Brookfield to finance power projects for AI infrastructure, increasing the funding from $5 billion to $25 billion. This reflects the company's strong position in delivering clean, reliable power to large AI projects. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for this Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) company’s 2026 sales implies year-over-year growth of 83.9%, with earnings expected to improve by 176.3%.

GE Vernova

GE Vernova stands out as a global energy leader, offering a broad portfolio that includes onshore and offshore wind, grid and storage solutions, and next-generation power technology. During the second quarter of 2026, SunZia, the largest renewable energy infrastructure project in U.S. history, became operational, powered by GE Vernova's 3.8 MW-154m wind turbines at its onshore wind farm in New Mexico. The stock boasts a long-term (three-to-five years) earnings growth rate of 18%, with a Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 sales suggesting year-over-year growth of 18.8%.

Vestas Wind Systems

Vestas Wind Systems is a leading designer, manufacturer, installer, and service provider for wind turbines globally. In mid-December 2025, Vestas became the first company to reach 200 GW of installed wind turbines worldwide. On July 22, 2026, the company announced an order to deliver 43 MW of wind turbines to Germany, with additional orders totaling 309 MW from customers in Poland and Japan. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for this Zacks Rank #2 stock’s 2026 sales implies year-over-year growth of 14.2%, with a long-term earnings growth rate of 19.90%.

Ameren

As a utility company that generates and distributes electricity and natural gas in Missouri and Illinois, Ameren has been accelerating the expansion of its renewable energy portfolio. Its subsidiary, Ameren Missouri, aims to add 3,200 megawatts (MWs) of renewable generation by 2030 and an additional 1,500 MWs by 2035. The company also plans to add 1,000 MWs of battery storage by 2030 and retire all of Ameren Missouri’s coal-fired energy centers by 2042. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AEE’s 2026 sales implies year-over-year growth of 6.7%, with a long-term earnings growth rate of 7.70%.

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