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The momentum across the energy sector was undeniable at this years’ Experience Power Conference in Denver. Industry leaders, innovators, and utilities professionals gathered to explore the forces shaping the next decade of power: grid modernization, renewable energy, workforce evolution, and a new era of energy innovation. And The Planet Group was right in the middle of it all.
Every conversation pointed toward one truth: the power industry is in motion—and the pace is only accelerating. From massive grid modernization initiatives to surging energy demand from data centers, the next 10–15 years will bring transformative investment and innovation.
Here are some of our top takeaways from the event.
The Power Industry in Transition
From policy to production, the energy landscape is shifting fast—and every conversation at Experience Power made that clear. As utilities and innovators navigate competing priorities, like balancing natural gas expansion with renewables, or scaling new tech like SMRs, the industry is embracing transformation on every front.
Can natural gas and renewables coexist in the energy transition?
Natural gas emerged as a dominant theme bolstered by new policies driving adoption. Yet, even with federal incentives encouraging natural gas expansion, renewable energy remains a critical piece of the strategy. Despite fewer incentives around renewables, organizations continue to invest in solar, wind, hydro, and battery storage, proving that the energy transition isn’t about choosing a singular path, but rather about balancing resilience with sustainability.
Why are small modular reactors (SMRs) gaining momentum?
Another topic gaining momentum: small modular reactors (SMRs). These compact nuclear systems offer lower costs, faster builds, and smaller footprints, making them especially valuable for remote and industrial use. While still in early adoption, many expect the next year to bring real progress toward scalable SMR deployment.
The Workforce Challenge in Power Generation
For all the innovation in technology, the biggest barrier remains access to talent.
Across sessions and side conversations alike, workforce shortages dominated the dialogue. Power companies are struggling to find electrical engineers, project managers, and field specialists to sustain the volume of work ahead.
What’s driving the shortage of skilled talent in energy?
The biggest challenge around talent isn’t just supply, it’s perception. Younger talent has long overlooked the power sector, unaware of the cutting-edge projects, technology, and long-term stability it offers. The energy sector faces a marketing problem and is looking to leverage the rapidly increasing buzz around grid modernization and powering the future of data to help change that perception.
How can the power industry attract the next generation of engineers?
Many leaders at Experience Power emphasized partnering with schools, modernizing training programs, and reframing the value of working in power as essential steps to building the next-generation workforce.
That’s where The Planet Group can help—connecting skilled professionals to critical projects and helping companies close the talent gap faster.
Snapshot: Energy on the Rise
- 10–15 years of sustained growth projected in grid modernization and power infrastructure
- Data centers emerging as one of the fastest-growing power demands worldwide
- Natural gas poised to remain a key transitional energy source
- Solar, wind, hydro, and battery technologies continuing to expand despite a federal focus shift toward natural gas
- Workforce demand at record highs, especially for engineering and field roles
Sparking Connections Across the Power Industry
Our team had insightful conversations on what’s driving the future of power generation with decision makers and innovators alike, from our booth in the exhibit hall, to the breakout sessions, and at our sponsored events.
Celebrating Women in Power
As the sponsor of the Celebrating Women in Power mixer, The Planet Group proudly supported an event that spotlighted the women driving change across the energy industry. It was more than just an opportunity to network. It was a celebration of leadership, resilience, and the expanding influence of women shaping the future of power. And one lucky attendee walked away with a fancy set of custom Bose headphones.
Power After Hours
And after we celebrated women in power, we kept the conversations going at our after-hours event at Tamayo in Larimer Square where we turned introductions into ideas and ideas into action. This was an exciting opportunity for attendees to get a break from the conference rooms to enjoy evening of delicious Mexican eats, drinks, and meaningful discussion in a unique and trendy environment.
Building the Workforce Behind Energy Innovation
At The Planet Group, we help energy and utility organizations scale smarter, faster, and more sustainably. From owner’s engineering and project management to staffing and workforce solutions, we connect clients with the specialized talent and expertise they need to keep critical infrastructure running.
Our teams work alongside leading utilities, EPCs, and renewables developers to:
- Support modernization of transmission and distribution systems
- Deliver skilled engineers and field talent for large-scale projects
- Enable workforce continuity through multi shore delivery and embedded project teams
- Build diverse, future-ready teams that power the next generation of energy
Because transformation requires more than technology, it requires talented individuals.
Let’s Power the Future of Energy Innovation Together
The conversations at Experience Power 2025 made one thing clear: the energy transition is here, and talent is the key to making it happen.
Let’s talk about how The Planet Group can help you strengthen your workforce, accelerate your projects, and drive measurable impact across the energy and utilities landscape.
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