From January 26–28, 2026, the cleantech community converges at Paradise Point Resort & Spa in San Diego for Cleantech Forum North America 2026 — the premier North American gathering for high-stakes deal-making, investor-innovator matchmaking, and forward-looking discussions on the technologies and policies shaping a decarbonized future. This year’s edition arrives at a pivotal inflection point: nuclear energy is experiencing renewed momentum driven by the insatiable power requirements of AI data centers, while across the Atlantic, the European Union advances draft proposals for ‘Made in Europe’ requirements in public procurement of green technologies — a move that could reshape global supply chains for batteries, solar, wind, and EV components.
Having followed Cleantech Forum agendas since the early 2020s, I recognize this event’s unique ability to serve as both a barometer and accelerator of sector trends. The 2026 program emphasizes sovereignty and decentralization themes, the “pressure cooker” effect of converging demands on energy systems, and innovative pathways to scale baseload clean power. Discussions on nuclear innovation, AI-ready infrastructure, and the geopolitical dimensions of cleantech manufacturing will dominate the main stage and breakout sessions.
What emerges from San Diego this week is a clearer picture of 2026’s defining cleantech narratives: the symbiotic relationship between frontier AI compute and reliable, carbon-free energy; the push for industrial sovereignty in the green transition; and the redirection of capital toward technologies that can deliver at scale amid policy volatility.
This comprehensive analysis covers the Forum’s structure and highlights, nuclear’s accelerating traction in the AI era, the EU’s evolving local content rules, broader sovereignty and decentralization currents, investment dynamics, transatlantic policy divergences, key challenges, and long-range forecasts through 2035.
Cleantech Forum North America 2026: San Diego Deal-Making & Key Themes
Cleantech Forum North America remains the go-to venue for intimate, high-quality interactions among roughly 600–800 senior investors, corporate strategists, innovators, and policymakers. The three-day format prioritizes one-on-one meetings, curated networking, and focused programming rather than mass-keynote spectacles.
Core Forum Themes (2026 Edition)
- Nuclear Innovation Summit — dedicated track on advanced fission, SMRs, and fuel cycles
- AI Power Demand Solutions — addressing data center interconnection bottlenecks
- Sovereignty & Decentralization — cleantech manufacturing resilience and distributed systems
- Pressure Cooker Effect — converging stresses on grids, supply chains, and capital
- Investment & Deal Flow — matchmaking sessions driving early- and growth-stage commitments
Cleantech Group’s official Cleantech Forum North America 2026 page details registration, venue information, and speaker lineup.
For ongoing green tech coverage, explore our green-tech section.
Nuclear’s Big Moment: Traction from AI Data Center Demand
Nuclear fission is benefiting directly from the AI race. Hyperscalers require always-on, high-density power that renewables alone struggle to guarantee without massive overbuild or storage. Baseload nuclear — especially advanced designs — offers a compelling answer.
A landmark example is the January 2026 agreement between Oklo and Meta Platforms, under which Oklo will develop infrastructure supporting up to 1.2 GW of advanced nuclear capacity in southern Ohio to power Meta’s regional data centers, with potential online dates as early as 2030. This deal, part of Meta’s broader nuclear portfolio including partnerships with Vistra and TerraPower, underscores corporate appetite for firm, carbon-free power.
Small modular reactors (SMRs) and microreactors gain particular favor: faster deployment timelines, factory fabrication, and siting flexibility suit data center co-location. Defense and utility applications further bolster the case.
AI-Energy Nexus: Exploding Demand & Utility Responses
AI training and inference workloads are projected to drive U.S. data center power consumption toward 8–12% of national electricity by the early 2030s. Utilities face unprecedented interconnection queues and transmission constraints, prompting innovative solutions: behind-the-meter nuclear/geothermal, long-duration storage, and AI-optimized grid management.
Forum sessions will highlight learnings from early AI-ready data center deployments and pathways to overcome power bottlenecks.
For related AI developments, see AI section and Davos 2026 AI geopolitics highlights.
EU’s ‘Made in Europe’ Push: Local Content Rules for Green Tech
In mid-January 2026, the European Commission circulated a draft proposal introducing new sourcing requirements for public procurement of key clean technologies. Starting in 2026, public buyers would face minimum local content thresholds for batteries, solar PV modules, wind turbine components, and EV-related parts — with requirements tightening after an initial two-year phase-in.
The rules aim to bolster domestic manufacturing, enhance supply chain resilience, and support net-zero industrial goals under the Green Deal. Member states remain divided: export-oriented economies express concern over trade friction, while industrial-heavy nations welcome the protectionist tilt.
EU Local Content Timeline (Markdown Table)
- 2026: Initial minimum thresholds introduced for public procurement
- 2028: Stricter requirements phased in
- Ongoing: Monitoring for WTO compliance and reciprocal access
Sovereignty, Decentralization & Pressure Cooker Dynamics
The Forum’s 2026 outlook frames cleantech through lenses of sovereignty (regional manufacturing autonomy) and decentralization (distributed energy resources, microgrids). The “pressure cooker” effect describes mounting stresses — AI demand spikes, supply chain vulnerabilities, geopolitical tensions — forcing accelerated innovation.
Investment & Deal-Making Outlook
Cleantech capital flows show resilience: nuclear startups and utilities attract fresh rounds, battery and geothermal plays benefit from reliability premiums, while AI-energy software sees explosive interest. San Diego meetings will likely yield several high-profile commitments.
Policy Divergence: US vs. EU Approaches
U.S. policy emphasizes private-sector-led reliability (nuclear revival, permitting reform), while the EU pursues industrial policy via procurement rules and subsidies. Divergence risks fragmented global standards but spurs competition in innovation.
Challenges & Risks: Trade Tensions, Execution Hurdles
Nuclear faces regulatory delays and public perception issues; EU rules risk retaliatory tariffs; capital redirection could sideline certain technologies.
Pros/Cons of Current Cleantech Momentum
- Pros — Accelerated baseload deployment, supply chain security, innovation surge
- Cons — Trade friction, policy uncertainty, execution risks
Future Cleantech Outlook 2027–2035
Nuclear-AI synergy could add tens of GW of capacity; EU local content ripples spur global reshoring; energy transition investment reaches trillions annually, blending public-private models.
FAQ
What is Cleantech Forum North America 2026 in San Diego?
The premier cleantech event (Jan 26–28, 2026) focused on deal-making, investor meetings, and discussions on nuclear, AI power, sovereignty, and decentralization.
How is nuclear energy gaining traction for AI data centers in 2026?
Hyperscalers seek reliable baseload power; deals like Oklo-Meta (1.2 GW Ohio project) highlight SMR/microreactor potential for co-located supply.
What are the EU’s ‘made in Europe’ green tech requirements starting 2026?
Draft rules set minimum local content thresholds in public procurement for batteries, solar, wind, and EV components, tightening after 2028 to boost domestic manufacturing.
Why is Cleantech Forum emphasizing sovereignty and decentralization in 2026?
Geopolitical tensions and supply vulnerabilities drive focus on regional autonomy and distributed systems.
How does the “pressure cooker” effect influence cleantech trends?
Converging demands (AI power, net-zero goals, trade risks) create urgency for scalable solutions.
What role do SMRs play in nuclear’s resurgence?
Faster build times, modularity, and siting flexibility make them ideal for data center and utility applications.
How might EU procurement rules impact global cleantech supply chains?
They encourage reshoring but risk trade disputes and higher short-term costs.
What investment opportunities emerge from Forum discussions?
Nuclear startups, geothermal/battery plays, AI-grid optimization software, and utility-scale clean power projects.
How does AI demand reshape energy investment priorities?
It elevates firm, high-capacity-factor sources like nuclear over variable renewables alone.
What challenges does nuclear face despite momentum?
Regulatory timelines, fuel cycle issues, public acceptance, and competition from gas/storage.
Will EU ‘Made in Europe’ rules create transatlantic friction?
Likely — U.S. exports could face disadvantages in EU public tenders.
How might cleantech capital flows evolve post-Forum?
Toward reliability-first technologies and regional manufacturing resilience.
What is the long-term outlook for nuclear-AI synergy?
Multi-GW deployments by 2035, supporting AI leadership while advancing decarbonization.
How does the Forum differ from other cleantech events?
Emphasis on curated, high-quality meetings and deal flow over broad conferences.
What broader implications do these trends have for sustainable investment?
Accelerated transition spend, policy-driven redirection, and innovation in baseload clean power.
For deeper insights, explore future-tech trends or startups and funding 2026.
Cleantech Forum North America 2026 captures a sector in motion — propelled by AI’s voracious appetite for power, tempered by sovereignty imperatives, and navigating policy cross-currents. Momentum builds, but execution and international coordination remain critical hurdles.
Explore more green tech at vfuturemedia.com/green-tech/ or AI-energy trends at vfuturemedia.com/ai/. What cleantech trend from San Diego resonates most with you? Share below.
— Ethan Brooks
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