Investment in global infrastructure expected to grow by almost 5% between 2019 and 2023

Doka UK, 13 December 2019.- The evolution of global infrastructure investment could be more positive than originally predicted over the coming years. The infrastructure market in the UK is forecast to perform above the average across the infrastructure sub-sector whilst having a current investment of US$1.7 Trillion as extracted from Globaldata’s research ‘Global Construction Outlook to 2023 – Q1 2019 Update’. We draw particular attention to analysis of this report with reference to UK Construction Online amongst other sources. Additional topics in this article include the predicted value by infrastructure sector and analysis of the EDHEC Infrastructure Institute-Singapore “2019 Global Infrastructure Investor Survey, Benchmarking Trends and Best Practices”.

New research from GlobalData anticipates global infrastructure construction to grow by 4.8% on an annual average basis in real terms between 2019 and 2023.

The forecast comes from GlobalData’s tracking of over 14,000 large-scale infrastructure projects in both the public and private sectors that are valued at a minimum of US$25M (totaling US$14.8 trillion) worldwide at all stages from announcement to execution.

The report indicates that construction activity growth slowed across Western Europe in 2018, however output will be set to expand by 2.4% a year on average in 2019-2023, which is a marginal slowdown compared to the pace recorded in 2014-2018, of 2.4%. 

The energy sector

The power and energy sector has the most projects in the pipeline with 5,681 projects valued at US$4.7 trillion.

Doka has comprehensive experience in the energy sector and have worked on many high-profile projects in the UK and around the world, including work at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant. From formwork and shoring solutions, to concrete monitoring tools and services such as pre-assembly and on-site demonstrators, Doka develop systems to help the main contractor and specialist sub-contractors develop the designs for geometry, quality of execution and required construction time for each project. With the number of energy projects set to rise in the UK, Doka are able to offer tailored solutions, which span from shoring equipment such as Staxo 100 towers, Framax Wall formwork, Dam formwork, guided climbing systems and pre-assembled formwork.

Doka’s Staxo 100 shoring and 250 stair towers combined with table forms and edge protection on UK energy project

The transport sector

The number of road sector projects closely follows with 4,004, and railways with 1,945. Rail projects dominate valuing US$5.4 trillion and roads valued at US$2.6 trillion.

When completed, the tracked road projects will comprise a total 186,993km under construction (or expansion/renewal) in the next five years. The most notable road expansion in terms of total length is taking place in South and South East Asia, with a total of 59,835km of ongoing and upcoming road projects spread across the region. A total of 160,198km of railway track and 1,271.6GW of generating capacity will be undertaken and completed in the next five years.

Yasmine Ghozzi, Economist at GlobalData, comments: “In Sub-Sahara Africa and the Middle East and Africa (MEA), where infrastructure construction growth is expected to average 7.3% and 6.6%, respectively, there are huge infrastructure upgrades underway in roads, railways and power generation.

“The pace of growth in North America and Europe’s construction industry will perform better in the forecast period than the previous forecast, 2014–2018 – albeit slower than emerging markets. Electricity and power infrastructure will be the one of the fastest sectors in Europe as countries across the continent reaffirm their commitment to advance the implementation of the Paris Agreement and intensify their cooperation on climate change and clean energy.”

In this specialist sector, Doka have systems which can help deliver bridge projects with cantilever travelling formwork systems, parapet and deck formwork and shoring and pier climbing formwork. In addition, Doka can support your complex tunnel formwork or train and metro station fair faced and architectural concrete finish requirements. 

Deliver your bridge project with the help of parapet bridge formwork ParaTop

The exponential growth that is required to fill the infrastructure-funding gap in many countries

To complete the GlobalData information we now discuss the conclusions of the EDHEC Infrastructure Institute-Singapore on the “2019 Global Infrastructure Investor Survey, Benchmarking Trends and Best Practices”.

Investors willingness to deploy capital in the infrastructure space has not diminished. The largest investors in the world focus primarily on unlisted infrastructure equity and, increasingly, debt. They reported a constant and growing allocation to infrastructure, including in emerging markets, which are a relevant geography for 50% of respondents. Still, based on investors’ declared intentions, they note that investment in emerging-market infrastructure is unlikely to experience the exponential growth that is required to fill the infrastructure-funding gap in many countries. Overall, the infrastructure sector is showing signs of becoming more mainstream and represents larger allocations among very large investors. 

For more information on formwork solutions for your infrastructure project, visit our website or call us today on +44 (0)1622 749050 or email UK@doka.com.

Sources:

UK Construction Online

Globaldata.com