Young professionals |
Elevating the next generation
The National Hydropower Association in the US believes strategic investment in the future of energy is urgently required, And it all starts with those who will lead the industry into the future. Kelly Rogers gives more details
AS THE DEMAND FOR a reliable, resilient, and affordable energy grid grows, hydropower remains a cornerstone of US energy infrastructure, especially with the country’s electricity demand expected to grow by 2% annually, increasing by 50% by 2050. At the same time, more than a quarter of the current hydropower workforce is projected to retire within the next decade. Ensuring the continued strength of this critical energy resource, along with the growth of innovative marine energy technologies, means investing in the next generation of talent. That’s why the National Hydropower Association (NHA) launched the Future Leaders of Waterpower (FLOW) group: to cultivate, connect, and empower early-career professionals who are shaping the future of the water power industry.
A shifting workforce landscape Workforce development has become one of the most
pressing challenges for the hydropower industry. According to the US Department of Energy’s 2022 Hydropower and Marine Energy Workforce Needs Assessment, nearly 26% of the current water power workforce is expected to retire or leave the industry within the next decade. In some companies, that figure is even higher, with more than 50% of employees eligible for retirement in the next 5–10 years. At the same time, the report highlights that more than 8000 new workers will be needed by 2030 to meet current hydropower operations and maintenance needs – not including additional labor required to support growth in pumped storage hydropower, hydropower modernisation, and emerging marine energy technologies.
Despite these needs, the industry faces multiple barriers to attracting young talent: Lack of visibility of water power careers compared to wind and solar. Limited structured training or early-career pathways. Geographic dispersion of job opportunities. Outdated perceptions of hydropower as a legacy technology.
FLOW was created to address these challenges for the hydropower industry head-on.
Why FLOW matters With a significant share of the hydropower workforce
nearing retirement, the need to attract and retain new talent has never been more urgent. FLOW helps meet this challenge by providing a dedicated platform for early career water power professionals to access resources, share experiences, and build the relationships needed for long-term success. Without intentional investment in early career
professionals, the industry risks losing critical institutional knowledge and momentum at a time when reliable, dispatchable power is more important than ever. FLOW fills this gap by offering a space where professionals can build skills, confidence, and community. This is more than a networking effort, it’s a strategic investment in the future of energy. FLOW helps ensure new talent doesn’t just enter the industry, but stays, grows, and leads.
Empowering the emerging workforce FLOW elevates early-career professionals by
recognizing their achievements, amplifying
Right: Rising Star Award ceremony at NHA’s Clean Currents Conference and Tradeshow in Portland, Oregon during October 2024. Pictured from left to right are: Heidi Wahto, Sterling Watson (Rising Star Award recipient), Kelly Rogers, and NHA President Malcolm Woolf
12 | June 2025 |
www.waterpowermagazine.com
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