Powering the Energy Transition: 6 Supply Chain Priorities for Utility Leaders

North America’s utility industry navigates a tremendous amount of complexity to meet ever growing needs for safe reliable power.

Utilities have historically done a stellar job securing the equipment, materials, and talent required by the grid to deliver for the hundreds of millions of people who rely on it. But today, the industry is being tested like never before. Electricity demand is rising at a pace few anticipated just a few years ago. Electrification across transportation, manufacturing and buildings is adding new load requirements, while the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and data centers is creating an entirely new source of demand. At the same time, utilities are working to modernize aging infrastructure, improve reliability, and navigate evolving regulatory and sustainability expectations.

The strain caused by this convergence of forces is starting to show. Regional grid operators have already raised concerns about maintaining sufficient reserve capacity as electricity demand grows faster than new infrastructure can be brought online.

Read the full article on Supply & Demand Chain Executive.

As CEO of ProcureAbility, Conrad leads the firm’s vision and growth through a focus on client success and the continuous innovation of procurement and supply chain services. Conrad brings a broad perspective shaped by more than three decades of advising executives on procurement optimization and supply chain transformation.

He is deeply committed to helping global organizations evolve procurement from a transactional function into a strategic driver of value for the enterprise. His work centers on guiding organizations through complex change—strengthening supplier ecosystems, redefining operating models, and modernizing capabilities to help evolve procurement toward modern models that deliver intelligence, agility, measurable value, and sustainable competitive advantage. Throughout his career, Conrad has partnered with Fortune 1000 organizations across a wide array of industries including energy, utilities, technology, financial services, hospitality, and healthcare.

Within ProcureAbility, Conrad champions an internal focus on talent development in a culture of empowerment. He serves on the Boards of Directors for the Utility Supply Management Alliance (USMA) and the Utility Purchasing Management Group (UPMG). He is frequently consulted by executive teams and industry organizations for his perspectives on the future of procurement, leadership, and trends, and is a recognized thought leader who is regularly interviewed and quoted by leading industry media.

ProcureAbility, a Jabil company, is the leading provider of procurement and supply chain services, offering advisory, managed services, digital, staffing, and recruiting solutions. For 30 years, we have focused exclusively on helping clients elevate their procurement and supply chain functions.

We combine leading methodologies, analytics, market intelligence, and industry benchmarks with our uniquely flexible and customizable service delivery model. Global organizations of all sizes trust ProcureAbility to transform their procurement operations, drive growth, and reimagine what’s possible.

Let ProcureAbility help you reimagine your procurement capabilities.