INVITE - Open for Business: Chinese Investments Drive EU’s Energy Transition

Research evidence excerpt

INVITE - Open for Business: Chinese Investments Drive EU’s Energy Transition

EUROPE | Sustainability & Transition

Strategy May 22, 2026

INVITE - Open for Business: Chinese

Investments Drive EU’s Energy Transition

The EU is not closing to Chinese capital. Despite tougher rhetoric,

investment is rising and increasingly funding the energy transition. The shift

from M&A to greenfield localisation, particularly in EVs & batteries, is making

Chinese FDI a key enabler of Europe’s clean-tech buildout. In this call,

we unpack how Chinese firms are reshaping supply chains & competition

across EVs, batteries & solar. Join us Friday 29 May at 2pm BST / 9am

EDT / 3pm CEST, REGISTER

Background

After leading the conversation on how the Middle East conflict has influenced Europe’s energy

transition, we are now shifting our focus to examine China’s growing involvement in this critical

area. Contrary to widespread belief, we believe that Europe remains very much open to Chinese

investment. In fact, China’s foreign direct investment (FDI) in Europe has been on a consistent

upward trajectory since reaching a low point in 2023. Notably, Chinese investment in greenfield

projects across the EU surged by 47% in 2024 year-on-year and climbed by another third in

2025. This impressive growth has been driven primarily by substantial investments in the

electric vehicle sector.

Looking ahead, we anticipate that Chinese FDI will continue to rise, even as the EU introduces

additional requirements and more rigorous screening processes. We invite you to join Luke

Sussams and Jacqueline Murdock as they challenge the prevailing narrative that Europe, like

the US, is shutting out Chinese presence and capital. Instead, they will reveal why Europe still