U.S. energy demand is entering a period of explosive growth. In just five years, utilities are expected to match the electricity demand growth of the last 25. That kind of acceleration hasn’t happened in a generation, and it’s creating new risks and opportunities across the grid.
Michael Schad, Bowman’s director of utilities, sees this once-in-a-generation demand as both a challenge and an opportunity. In this Q&A, he walks through what utilities should do now to meet demand and how Bowman is positioned to help them stay ahead of the curve.
Q: Do you think utilities are ready for this kind of demand?
A: No, and to be fair, it’s tough to be. Utilities are still trying to figure out how to respond. The infrastructure timelines and regulatory cycles are long, and many haven’t fully positioned themselves yet. That delay could be costly. Every year of inaction puts us further behind, and this isn’t the kind of gap you can close quickly.
Q: What can utilities do now to avoid falling behind?
A: Start making moves now. If you wait a year or two, you’re going to be further behind, and the end user can’t afford that. This is a major challenge, and you won’t get another window to plan and act for it.
You need to be thinking in layers: what can we do now, what can we do in three years and what needs to be in motion for five to ten years out. Waiting even one year puts you further behind and end users can’t afford the consequences. Lead times for equipment are already stacked against us. Co-gen systems can take over three years to procure; transformers, up to twenty months.
Q: How does Bowman fit into this picture?
A: We’re already helping utilities tackle transmission, substation and distribution challenges. But more importantly, we’re a strategic partner in uncertainty. We know the pressure utilities are under, and we bring integrated services to help them act with clarity. Utilities can’t afford to navigate this shift alone. Bowman brings the engineering depth to help clients act—not react—in the face of rising demand.
Q: Is there anything else on the horizon that utilities need to prepare for?
A: Yes! It’s not just about generation. The recent One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR1) designated $30 billion for grid modernization. That means undergrounding, wildfire mitigation and storm hardening, which are all critical to resilience. These investments are a chance to shore up on aging infrastructure, and that work can’t wait either.
About Michael Schad
Michael is director of utilities at Bowman, where he leads the strategic direction, operation and growth of the firm’s utility services division. He oversees the multidisciplinary team delivering engineering and project management across electric transmission, substation and distribution, while driving client success and regulatory compliance.
Tags:Power & UtilitiesQ&A
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