and the California Department of Water Resources, further solidifying its standing in the industry. CHANGING ENERGY LANDSCAPE With the global push for cleaner energy sources, hydroelectric power remains one of the most reliable and sustainable options. However, in recent years, the focus has shifted from building new hydro plants to upgrading and modernizing existing infrastructure. Abbruzzese elaborates on this trend: “We’re not seeing many new hydro plants being built. Instead, we’re focusing on revitalizing and modernizing the ones that have been in operation for decades.” Abbruzzese explains this shift is due to the aging nature of much of the country’s hydroelectric infrastructure.“These plants have been operational for a very long time. While they have long life expectancies, they require constant maintenance and upgrades to ensure they remain efficient contributors to the grid. Hydroelectric power is a clean energy source, and as the demand for renewable energy continues to grow, upgrading these facilities becomes more important.” Hydropower’s role in the broader energy landscape is also tied to the increasing push for electrification. Many states in the U.S. are implementing mandates aimed at increasing the proportion of electric vehicles and renewable energy sources on the grid. Abbruzzese sees hydroelectric power as a key part of this transition.“Hydro supports electrification efforts because it’s clean and reliable. As the grid ages and demand increases, hydro will continue to play an important role in meeting those energy needs,” he says. Abbruzzese also emphasizes the importance of ensuring that hydroelectric infrastructure remains viable in the long term. “We’re seeing federal and private projects aimed at upgrading facilities to maximize their contribution to the grid. It’s a critical component of the energy mix, and we’re proud to be part of that.” OVERCOMING SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTIONS Like many industries, the renewable energy and heavy civil construction sectors have faced significant 4 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 10
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5MjAx