The utility industry is in the midst of one of the most disruptive decades in its history. A surge in electricity demand from electrification, AI-driven data centers, and widespread adoption of distributed energy resources is colliding with an aging workforce, shifting regulatory frameworks, and rising customer expectations. To help address these challenges, Utility 2030 Collaborative (U2030) and Energy Central launched “Rethinking Utility Priorities: Bold Utility Leadership,” a year-long research initiative sponsored by HSI and POWER Engineers.
These themes were also at the center of a recent Energy Central PowerSession. Moderated by U2030’s Mike Smith, the session featured insights from Ahmad Ababneh (former PG&E operations executive), Dylan Bearce (Senior Director of Energy Resource Operations at Tucson Electric Power), and Mark Streifel (HSI’s Industrial Services Division). Together, they examined how bold leadership—and a willingness to rethink long-standing priorities—are essential to navigating the next five years.
A Double Whammy: Soaring Load and Shifting Generation
Panel moderator Mike Smith set the stage by noting the “double whammy” utilities face: unprecedented demand growth alongside a fundamental shift in the generation mix. Unlike the 1960s wave of electrification driven by the growth of air conditioning, today’s expansion comes with the added challenge of decarbonization and a reimagined grid. As one panelist observed, “We’re not just adding new load—we’re reinventing how energy is generated, delivered, and consumed.”
Rethinking the Utility–Regulator Relationship
Ahmad Ababneh, former PG&E operations executive, underscored the importance of a more collaborative relationship between regulators and utilities. He called for greater transparency, long-term policy alignment, and stronger incentives for R&D. “Regulations tend to lag system needs,” he said. “We need regulators to act with urgency—whether it’s wildfire mitigation, integrating new technology, or funding pilot programs. A constructive partnership helps both the public interest and the utility mission.”
A Workforce Built on Adaptability
For Dylan Bearce of Tucson Electric Power, the energy transition is not only about technology but also about people. The old hiring pipelines—skilled trades from the military and traditional apprenticeships—are drying up. The new imperative is recruiting for aptitude and adaptability. “The skills of yesterday may not be the skills in two to five years,” Bearce said. “We’re not just hiring for technical expertise—we’re hiring for critical thinking and the ability to evolve with change.”
He noted that while some skills, like electrical controls and instrumentation, remain difficult to source, utilities are building stronger pipelines through apprenticeships, internships, and partnerships with educational institutions. Retention, he added, depends heavily on culture and engagement: “If it’s a terrible place to work, you won’t keep them. Culture matters as much as skills.”
Training for Speed and Digital Fluency
Mark Streifel of HSI pointed out that many legacy training programs haven’t kept pace with the industry’s transformation. Apprenticeships written decades ago still emphasize manual processes, even as today’s workers must master digital systems, smart grid platforms, and AI-driven analytics. “We need a speedier workforce—one fluent in digital tools, adaptable to constant upgrades, and supported by a culture of continuous learning,” he emphasized. Competency maps, targeted gap training, and rebranding the industry as a technology-driven career path are essential to attracting and equipping the next generation.
Transmission, Technology, and the Road Ahead
As electrification accelerates, transmission capacity and resilience are becoming critical bottlenecks. Ababneh warned that permitting and construction delays threaten utilities’ ability to serve soaring demand, while emphasizing the need to leverage technologies such as dynamic line ratings and advanced conductors. “The grid has to be treated as an end-to-end system,” he said, pointing to integrated planning as a way to better utilize existing infrastructure.
Customers as Partners
The conversation also highlighted a profound shift in customer roles. No longer passive bill-payers, customers now expect engagement, transparency, and choice. From demand response to behind-the-meter storage, utilities must create programs that transform customers into partners in grid management. As one panelist observed, “When customers start talking kilowatts around the barbecue grill, you know the landscape has changed.”
Looking Toward 2030
When asked to forecast the utility of 2030, the panelists pointed to three defining themes:
More clean energy, but tempered by the realities of reliability, affordability, and equity.
A digitally fluent workforce trained for adaptability, not static roles.
Resilient infrastructure where transmission, storage, and DERs operate as a cohesive system.
As Bearce summed up, “By 2030, the environment will still be fast-moving and uncertain—but we’ll have a clearer picture of what truly works, driven by regional supply chains, new workforce strategies, and customers who expect to be active participants.”
The Bold Leadership Imperative
Across the discussion, one message stood out: leaders cannot wait for stability. The challenges are already here. Success will depend on leaders who invest in people, embrace new technology, and build transparent, collaborative relationships with both regulators and customers. In an era where the only constant is change, bold leadership isn’t just about rethinking priorities - it’s about reimagining the very foundation of the utility business.
About the Initiative
Rethinking Priorities: A Bold Approach to Utility Leadership is a year-long research initiative from U2030 and Energy Central. This program provides executives with actionable insights to navigate shifting industry priorities.
Through research reports, virtual discussions, and a panel at the U2030 Annual SPARK Meeting, we are poised to help utility leaders assess, adjust, and realign their focus as the market evolves.
If you would like to receive the final report, please email Mike Smith at [email protected]. If you would like to hear the full PowerSession – you can access the on-demand conversation here.
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