KB Asset Management Launches the RISE US AI Electricity Infrastructure Active ETF

Why It Matters

AI’s rapid expansion is creating a structural electricity gap, making power‑infrastructure assets attractive growth opportunities. The ETF provides a focused, active‑managed gateway for Korean capital to capture that upside.

Key Takeaways

• ETF targets U.S. power‑infrastructure firms supporting AI workloads
• Morgan Stanley forecasts 47 GW data‑center electricity shortfall 2025‑28
• Goldman Sachs predicts AI adds 1.2% to U.S. electricity demand
• Holdings include Bloom Energy, Lumentum, GE Vernova, Eaton
• KB Asset’s ETF AUM reaches roughly $12.8 bn, third in Korea

Pulse Analysis

The surge in generative AI and large‑language models is reshaping electricity consumption patterns, especially in data‑center clusters that require massive, continuous power. Analysts at Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs warn that the United States could face a 47‑gigawatt shortfall by 2028 and that AI‑driven workloads may add roughly 1.2 percentage points to national electricity demand through 2030. This emerging supply‑demand imbalance is prompting utilities, grid operators, and technology firms to accelerate investments in generation capacity, transmission upgrades, and advanced storage solutions.

KB Asset Management’s new RISE US AI Electricity Infrastructure Active ETF offers a curated exposure to the companies positioned to benefit from this macro‑trend. Unlike passive funds, the ETF employs an active allocation framework that rotates among three thematic pillars—power generation and grid, data‑center infrastructure, and energy‑efficiency technologies—allowing managers to respond to regulatory shifts and technological breakthroughs. The underlying Solactive index uses the ARTIS® algorithm to score firms on relevance, liquidity, and free‑float market cap, ensuring a diversified 20‑stock basket that includes Bloom Energy’s fuel‑cell platforms, Lumentum’s optical components, GE Vernova’s turbine and grid solutions, and Eaton’s energy‑management systems.

For Korean investors, the ETF represents a strategic bridge to the U.S. AI‑power infrastructure ecosystem, a sector projected to outpace broader energy markets. With KB’s ETF assets under management now near $12.8 billion—ranking third domestically—the firm is well‑positioned to channel capital into this high‑growth niche. While the upside is compelling, investors should monitor policy developments around carbon pricing and grid modernization, as well as the inherent volatility of technology‑heavy energy assets. Overall, the fund aligns with a longer‑term shift toward resilient, AI‑enabled power systems, making it a noteworthy addition to diversified portfolios.