WSP’s Energy business line executive, Mike Case, and Paul Compton, vice president of Project Development & Strategy with POWER Engineers, member of WSP, had an active week of participation at CERAWeek 2025. Below they offer their thoughts and key takeaways.
Looking back on CERAWeek 2025, what were the hot topics that everyone talking about?
Mike Case: It was a fantastic week. The topic on everyone’s mind is the shift in the narrative of energy transition to energy addition. What I mean by that is we need all of it to meet the energy demand that we have, driven by AI, electrification and reshoring of manufacturing. The topics revolved around gas, obviously, but also nuclear, renewables and the critical grid infrastructure that's necessary to provide safe, reliable, affordable and diversified energy for all.
Paul Compton: AI, energy demand and energy security dominated the conversation. We're going to see a diversity of technologies answering the question of how we're going to find solutions to unprecedented demand in the industry. Although today, advanced gas turbine technologies dominate the landscape geothermal, nuclear and storage and renewables will all play apart in the solution.
How can the industry address the growing energy needs from electrifying energy systems and the emergence of AI?
Mike: As Paul said, we can't rely on one technology, and we must look at everything available to us and the timing to market associated with those technologies. Renewable development is going to continue to address that immediate need, because there are projects in the pipeline. The ramp up of gas technology and gas turbine projects are coming to light. The continued development of nuclear technology, the technology for carbon capture — we don't want to lose that momentum and that's going to drive and develop the future. I think the second part of the question of how we meet this demand is leveraging our resources appropriately. Resources, as we've heard this week, are very limited across the board — engineering, construction, you name it — and the hiring that's happening in our industry right now is just tremendous.
Paul: Agree! We are seeing unprecedent demand in the power and energy space so attracting the best talent from across our organization and industry is going to be critical to meeting our clients’ needs and the continued growth and success our company. Energy security and supply chain was another common theme. Supply chain of major equipment is certainly on the minds of our clients and EPC partners. Major OEMS of gas turbines are out several years but also major electrical equipment such as transforms and switchgear push projects to the right. Additionally, from the Mining sector, rare earth minerals and metals is a security issue and critical as we continue to build out these opportunities. It's not just on the power side or the energy side, but mining minerals are critical security issues that were addressed this week at CERA.
How do you see innovation in digital tools shaping the future of the energy industry?
Paul: The efficiency gains and the predictive analytics around AI is going to change the industry; The use of AI, efficiency gains and how we approach opportunities and solutions is going to be a game changer. We're just scratching the surface when it comes to AI, and with private industry involved, we're going to see some advancements that are going to be reshape in our industry. Also, predictive analytics from a Safety standpoint were major topics. Catching things before they happen is top of mind. From the Control Room to the Board Room.
Mike: It's going to be driving safer, more reliable, more efficient energy assets that we have at our disposal and especially as new technologies come out and we integrate those with data. Top of mind for everyone in the industry is safety and reliability. Making certain that we have it right and not rush to implementation. We're talking about the health and safety of human lives, so making certain that we do it right and don't rush into something too quickly is crucial.
