The COVID-19 outbreak has illuminated the global energy industry’s resiliency and presented unique opportunities to fast forward the energy transformation. The energy industry is facing multiple sets of challenges, from those already in progress before COVID-19, to permanent impacts from the response to the pandemic, and even more as-yet-unseen developments to come in 2021. Recovery from the pandemic does not mean a return to ‘normal’. Instead, there is an opportunity to define a new future for the industry, and three actions areas will be critical: sustainability, digital and talent.
There were some concerns early in the public health crisis that disruption would slow the implementation of clean energy legislation and projects across the world. In reality, the market for renewables has been remarkably resilient, and, in some countries, even increased the focus on ESG and sustainability.
Read our latest thinking and top-of-mind resources on climate change and sustainability to help you build long-term value in a rapidly changing world.
Since the COVID-19 shutdown, the world has grown far more comfortable with virtual work, school, shopping, socialization, and more. Digital capabilities are now table stakes, and energy companies need to figure out how to digitize anything, from contactless call centers through which customers can raise issues or track orders, to wholesale marketing transactions enabled by blockchain solutions for real-time settlement. Approximately half of the Energy CEOs surveyed plan to invest capital in new technology, digitalization, workforce skills, and capabilities.
Read our insights on driving transformation to help create sources of value, operate with more agility and precision, enhance customer centricity, and empower your workforce.
Energy CEOs now identify talent risk—recruitment and retention, as well as employee health and wellbeing—as the greatest threat to growth; prior to the pandemic, it was barely on their risk radar. The flexible and remote work that became necessary during the shutdown could be here to stay, and that has sweeping ramifications for how and where companies will operate. With potentially permanent remote work for tens of thousands of employees, the workplace could become a perk rather than a required daily destination. In fact, nearly 70 percent of energy CEOs surveyed said they expect to downsize their office space.
Read our research led insights and learn what workers are telling us about where they are struggling, and what energy companies should do next.
In a time of great uncertainty, CEOs are having to make important decisions with long-term consequences. They are having to do their utmost to protect their people while facing massive economic pressure that could potentially threaten the future of their business. We invite you to explore the insights from eight energy CEOs on how they are navigating unprecedented challenges.