From Blueprint to Reality 2026

Images: Getty Images Disclaimer This document is published by the World Economic Forum as a contribution to a project, insight area or interaction. The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed herein are a result of a collaborative process facilitated and endorsed by the World Economic Forum but whose results do not necessarily represent the views of the World Economic Forum, nor the entirety of its Members, Partners or other stakeholders. © 2026 World Economic Forum. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system.Contents Foreword 3 Executive summary 4 1 Introduction: clusters as engines of industrial transformation 5 1.1 The state of play for industrial transformation 6 1.2 Making the case for low-carbon industrial clusters 7 1.3 Report scope and methodology 11 2 Cluster approach: multiple benefits for low-carbon projects 12 2.1 What we can learn from select low-carbon clusters 13 2.2 Financing benefits of low-carbon clusters 14 2.3 Four considerations determine project investability 16 3 Viable pathways for heavy industry’s transition through industrial clusters 18 3.1 Government-enabled financing 18 3.2 Public capital-led financing 26 3.3 Single developer-led financing 34 4 Conclusion and way forward 35 4.1 Drivers of success 35 Appendix 37 Contributors 41 Endnotes 43 From Blueprint to Reality: A Stronger Business Case for Shared Energy Infrastructure 2