Utilities

Utility companies face a very complex environment. They deliver the essentials of modern living but are expected to do so in an open market, at a profit for their shareholders and within government regulations on a range of issues from pricing controls to carbon emissions.

The result, however, is that this is a growing industry. An ever-increasing demand for energy must be met to maintain current lifestyles, and encourages innovation and new development in many areas. Technologies that enable cleaner energy sources such as carbon sequestration and wind-powered electricity generation vie with increasingly efficient tools to support new business practices as the greatest contributor to the bottom line. Even survival following the 2008 economic downturn is cushioned, as a stream of government funding for infrastructure projects has been made available to support recovery, much of which is heading for the utility businesses.