The Next Infrastructure Wave: From Roads to Grids and Data Lines

Shifting priorities

Traditional infrastructure spending — roads and bridges — is giving way to energy grids, digital networks, and climate resilience. The Canada Infrastructure Bank projects $140 billion in green and digital infrastructure commitments through 2030.

SectorPlanned Investment ($ bn, 2025–2030)CAGRSource
Green energy & grids52+7 %CIB 2025
Digital & broadband21+10 %ISED
Climate adaptation & water15+8 %Infrastructure Canada

The strategic pivot

  • Interprovincial transmission and battery storage dominate new project pipelines.
  • Smart-city projects blend telecom, data, and mobility.
  • Municipalities face financing constraints, requiring private capital entry.

What leaders can do

  1. Engage early with CIB and provincial funds. Private capital will fill fiscal gaps.
  2. Build data-driven asset monitoring. Predictive maintenance reduces cost 20 %.
  3. Develop energy-flexibility models. Firms investing in microgrids gain supply resilience.
  4. Invest in regional infrastructure bonds. ESG demand is surging.

Arcus Insight: Infrastructure is no longer physical — it’s informational. Data flow is the new public utility.