Utility operators are currently facing the most significant opportunity—and challenge—of their careers.

They know that ‘keeping the lights on’ for their customers means modernizing grids, transitioning to clean resources, and improving resilience in the face of mounting threats as climate change accelerates.

For today’s customer, though, ‘keeping the lights on’ is just one point on a growing list of expectations. ‘Smart’ homes, cost-of- living pressures and personalized digital services mean that they now demand tailored service at a lower cost.

To meet those demands, utility providers must embrace technology without sacrificing regulatory compliance—or efficient service delivery. It’s a transition that will require them to simultaneously navigate tightening regulation, the threat of cyberattacks, and entirely new business models.

Utility operators need a trusted technology partner to meet a challenge of this scale, and ensure they don’t just keep up with the utility ecosystems of the future, but help define them.

It’s a multi-dimensional puzzle that Cognizant knows how to solve.

Utility operators provide an essential service. Come rain or shine, customers will need water, power, and heat. The sector has historically been immune to volatile economic shifts, but increasing demand paired with climate- related outages threaten that security.

The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit, estimates that data centers could consume up to 9% of U.S. electricity generation by 2030, more than double their current consumption. At the same time, the U.S. is experiencing double the weather-related outages compared to 2000-2009, costing businesses $150 billion each year.

When combined with changing consumer expectations, increased electric vehicle adoption and the electrification of heating, these pressures mean that modernization is more than a competitive edge––it’s essential for survival.