Quantum for Energy and Utilities 2026

Images: Adobe 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 6 1.1 Methodology 6 1.2 What is pushing quantum technology 7 adoption in energy and utilities? 1.3 When will quantum applications 8 materialize in energy and utilities? 1.4 Quantum solutions across the 9 energy and utilities value chain 2 Energy (generation and supply) 11 2.1 Fossil fuels 11 2.2 Renewable and nuclear energy 16 3 Power and grid infrastructure 22 3.1 Transmission 22 3.2 Distribution 23 3.3 Storage 23 4 Utilities (public services and critical infrastructure) 29 4.1 Electricity and gas 29 4.2 Water and wastewater 29 4.3 Heating and cooling 30 5 Strategic roadmap for leaders 33 5.1 What holds quantum technology adoption back? 33 5.2 Actions to overcome quantum technology 35 adoption challenges 5.3 Organization roadmap to adopt quantum 37 technologies in energy and utilities Conclusion 39 Contributors 40 Endnotes 43 Quantum for Energy and Utilities: Key Opportunities for Energy Transition 2