Key takeaways from the World Utilities Congress 2024

Attendees engaged in discussions about game-changing innovations and insights, exploring trends that shape the future of the power and utilities industry. The congress provided an opportunity to connect with leaders and examine the role and speed of decarbonisation, outlining solutions that drive the transition to a renewable utilities sector. In a world where electricity and water are essential to daily life, the industry is confronted with numerous pressing issues. While we explore an increasingly complex and evolving landscape, it is crucial to address these issues directly, paving the way for a resilient and sustainable future.

Here are our four strategic and technical takeaways from the congress.

Strategic takeaways:

Renewable energy and net-zero commitments

One of the congress’s focuses was the global energy transition, especially the UAE’s ambitious renewable energy targets. His Excellency Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, the UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, outlined the country’s commitment to expanding its clean energy capacity, currently at 27.8% of its energy mix, with plans to exceed 30% by 2030. This initiative is supported by significant investments, including the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which aims for a capacity of 5,000 megawatts (MW) by 2030, along with efforts to modernise the grid.

The discussions pointed out the need for leaders in the power and utilities industry to improve cross-industry collaboration and promote innovation to meet the global renewable energy capacity and energy efficiency targets established during COP28. This includes applying smart grid technology and sustainable water management practices to create a resilient energy ecosystem, positioning the UAE as a leader in the global energy transition.

Leaders in the power and utilities industry need to improve crossindustry collaboration and promote innovation to meet the global renewable energy capacity and energy efficiency targets established during COP28.

Global water security and technological innovation

Water security, as one of the most critical issues for many regions in the world, became the focus at the congress. Key industry representatives discussed the need for international cooperation to protect water resources, especially in a situation of constantly growing energy demands.

Developments in water desalination technology, such as reverse osmosis, were presented as crucial in reducing the cost of water production and improving resource efficiency.  hese innovations are critical to addressing both water scarcity and the broader sustainability challenges facing the utilities sector.

International cooperation is required to protect water resources, especially in a situation of constantly growing energy demands.

The pressing need to transform operational risk management

dss⁺ presented findings from its extensive research, focusing on the “Perspectives for senior power & utilities leaders on the imperative to rapidly transform their management of critical operational risks.” The presentation highlighted that the current pace of transformation, driven by the shift from conventional energy to renewable sources and decarbonisation, has significantly increased the risk profile of the industry, exposing companies and their workers to new challenges. Despite efforts to refine operations, gaps remain in risk awareness, particularly concerning Serious Injuries and Fatalities (SIFs), which undermine trust in their ability to manage operational risks effectively and remain competitive. Leaders were encouraged to prioritise safety, prevention strategies, and the development of a robust risk management culture, recognising that operational risks should be treated as a main boardroom agenda.

The strategic benefits of efficient upskilling and reskilling for leaders and managers were stressed to enhance operational safety while navigating a volatile landscape and maintaining stakeholder trust.

To initiate successful transformation journeys, dss⁺ identified four key focus areas for power and utility companies:

1. Surfacing the burning platform
2. Articulating the business case
3. Evaluating current initiatives and capabilities to support change
4. Identifying success factors

Digital asset management and cultural transformation

Our second presentation titled “Digital asset management - Cultural shift required to maximise impact” highlighted the vital role of digital technologies in power & utilities sector where infrastructure and technologies are increasingly integrated. Digital innovation is crucial for value creation and sustainability yet implementing digital technologies presents challenges, such as rushing into complex solutions without having the fundamentals in place (infrastructure and capabilities), digital technologies failing to address genuine operational issues, and struggling to find the right technology partners. Additionally, many utilities companies have skill gaps in data science and analytics, and mindset and cultural barriers that prevent them from changing and adapting the ways of working that can delay progress.

Digital innovation is crucial for value creation and sustainability, yet implementing digital technologies presents challenges.

Mindset and cultural shifts are required across key focus areas to realise the full value from digital technologies:

1. Digital leadership: Leaders embracing and utilising digital tools and technologies in their daily work and constantly communicating the strategy behind and the benefits of digital technologies.
2. Building digital competencies: Required digital competencies are understood and are being developed to leverage new technologies effectively.
3. Embedding digital processes: The structures, processes, and systems support and reinforce the adoption of digital technologies and data-driven decision-making.
4. Fostering understanding & conviction: Employees clearly understand the importance of digital technologies and its impact on our work processes and outcomes.

How dss⁺ can help

dss⁺ is a premier global sustainable operations management consultancy. Our goal is to help leading organisations Protect, Transform and Sustain what matters most – people, assets, communities, business performance, competitiveness, and sustainability – for future generations, at an organisational, national or global level. We are proud of the impact we have made in driving our purpose to save lives and create a more sustainable future.

• At dss⁺ we partner with leading power & utilities companies worldwide, including major power generation firms in both renewable and non-renewable sectors, as well as those in transmission, distribution, water and waste, and gas. Our goal is to help clients protect people and the environment, achieve cost efficiency, and transform operations.
• Our strategic consulting teams work alongside businesses to drive sustainable performance improvements, ensuring safe, reliable, and cost-effective operations. We recognise that the power and utilities sector is the backbone of modern society, and we are committed to helping organisations develop sustainable solutions for the communities they serve.