The future is clean

As the clean energy industry looks towards 2027, businesses are navigating new opportunities, evolving workforce demands and increasing competition for specialist talent. As businesses expand into areas like battery energy storage and data centers, finding the right talent across engineering leadership and project delivery is becoming essential to supporting long-term growth. Ahead of RE+ in Las Vegas, we caught up with Alex Cohen from Piper Maddox to discuss the latest developments in clean energy recruitment, the challenges employers are facing and how businesses can position themselves to secure the talent they need. With hiring activity gaining momentum, Alex shares his perspective on where demand is growing, what employers should be thinking about now and why early conversations can make all the difference. What are clean energy businesses asking you most often about hiring at the moment? There’s a real buzz again. After the OBBBA, the immediate focus was getting projects delivered, including engineering, project management and construction, and managing growing portfolios. Now the conversations are much broader, covering origination, development, finance, legal and M&A. Across our business, activity is back around 2022 levels. We’re hearing, “We’re moving into BESS, thermal or data centers. Who’s done this before, and who would be excited to join us?”. AI experience is increasingly part of that conversation too. Where are you seeing the biggest gaps between the talent businesses need and the candidates available? Finding a brilliant technical leader is hard enough. Finding one who also happens to live within commuting distance of your office is where it gets really interesting! Interconnection, electrical engineering and project delivery remain challenging, and we’re competing with hyperscalers and data center developers for many of the same people. Office expectations are much firmer than in 2022. That means employers need to be realistic about where they can flex, especially when the candidate pool is already small. For businesses planning projects or growth in 2027, what hiring decisions should they be making now? Get us involved while the plans are still taking shape. That’s when we can be most useful. If you’re buying portfolios, growing your BESS pipeline or moving into thermal or data centers, let’s talk about who you’ll need and in what order. Which hires unlock the next stage? What can your existing team take on? Have the conversations about budget, location and availability now. Nobody wants to reach a major project milestone and realise the person they need is still three months away from joining. What can employers do to put themselves in a stronger position to attract and secure the people they need? Give people something to get excited about. You’re asking someone who may already have a good job to take a chance on your business. Why should they? Talk about what you’re building, why you believe in it and the part they could play. Equity remains a draw. People like the idea of sharing in the success they help create. And show up for the hiring process. Candidates notice when leaders make time, give thoughtful feedback and make decisions. Your enthusiasm for hiring them should come through. Can you share an example of how Piper Maddox has recently helped a client overcome a difficult hiring challenge? One I really like is a power business where we helped hire a Head of Engineering, a Head of Product Engineering for Power Systems, multiple engineers in protection and controls, and project directors. There aren’t huge numbers of people with those backgrounds, so supporting several of those hires together was a great piece of work from the team. It also shows the value of having specialists who can work together across disciplines. We could support the client across engineering leadership and project delivery as they built out the team. For businesses attending RE+, what would be useful to discuss with you and the team, and how can they arrange a meeting? Tell us what you’ve got planned for 2027! I always enjoy hearing where businesses are heading and comparing notes on what we’re seeing across the market. Whether you’ve got a difficult search, are exploring a new technology or just want a sense of what’s realistic on compensation and talent availability, let’s have a conversation. Let's talk talent at RE+ Las Vegas As clean energy businesses prepare for their next phase of growth, securing the right people at the right time will remain essential. As businesses explore new technologies and grow their specialist engineering teams, planning ahead for future hiring needs is becoming increasingly important to staying competitive. Alex Cohen, Charlotte Dungworth, Kalvin McMillian, Harjit Singh, Jack Eldridge and Myri Kennedy from Piper Maddox will be attending RE+ in Las Vegas and look forward to connecting with industry leaders to discuss their plans for 2027. If you're navigating a challenging search, planning to expand your team or looking to exchange insights on the clean energy talent market, we'd welcome the opportunity to meet.

“We need more of this in LA.” That was something we heard more than once at our first G.E.N. by PM event, and it captured exactly why we wanted to bring this community together. On October 29, we welcomed professionals from across Southern California’s clean energy industry to our Santa Monica office for the launch of G.E.N. by PM (Green Energy Network by Piper Maddox). Led by Charlotte Dungworth and our Piper Maddox LA team, G.E.N. by PM was created after recognising how many similar conversations were happening across the market, often between people working at completely different businesses. We wanted to give those conversations somewhere to continue, while creating more opportunities for the local community to meet, share experiences and learn from one another. The evening brought together people working across different areas of clean energy for a panel discussion covering some of the biggest developments shaping the sector in 2026. There was plenty to talk about, and the conversations continued afterwards over networking and a whisky tasting with B Corp-certified Bruichladdich Distillery. Following the event, we caught up with Charlotte to hear what she thought of the first G.E.N. by PM, the conversations that stood out to her and what she hopes to build with the community going forward. How did the first G.E.N. by PM go? It went really well. It was my first time moderating a panel, and what stuck with me was how many people said, “We need more of this in LA.” We had people from local renewables companies alongside people who work remotely for teams based elsewhere and came from across LA County. There’s a real appetite for more chances to meet people in the industry locally, and it was great to see those groups come together in one room. What were the biggest talking points from the panel? The surge in power demand from data centers was a big one, alongside the growth of EV charging in California and what it takes to turn buyer interest in storage into signed offtake agreements. Jaya Velamakanni raised a point that resonated with me about bringing legal teams in earlier. When timelines are tight and transactions are more complex, getting legal involved while the deal is still taking shape can help surface issues before they slow things down. Mabell Garcia brought a different perspective through her work with WRISE LA. She spoke about how much professional networks matter in this industry, especially for people trying to get in or take the next step in their careers. That landed particularly well in a room full of people who had come out to build those connections. What did the discussions tell you about where the clean energy market stands in 2026? I came away more optimistic than I would have a year ago. After a challenging 2025, the surge in power demand from data centers has brought fresh momentum to the clean energy market. It’s also made one question more urgent. How do we bring enough power online quickly and reliably while continuing to decarbonize the grid? That’s where I see a real opportunity for renewables, storage and flexible demand. Renewables can add generation, storage can make that power available when it’s needed most, and large customers can help manage peaks by shifting some of their demand. What felt different this year was how practical the conversation had become. People were asking what combinations can meet customers’ needs and what it will take to get those projects financed and built. Did any conversations reinforce or challenge what Piper Maddox has been hearing in the market? The panel largely reinforced what we’ve been hearing from clients and candidates. Jaya made an interesting point about what she sees now that she advises multiple businesses after working in-house. Whether you’re at a large IPP or running a smaller firm, many of the pressures are familiar. Timelines are tighter, deals are more complex, and teams are having to make decisions faster. From a hiring perspective, it reinforced the value of people who can work across functions and get involved early enough to help move a project forward. Looking ahead to RE+, what do you think will be the biggest conversations? I’ll be listening for how developers, investors and large power buyers plan to turn rising demand into projects that can get financed and built. On storage specifically, I’d love to pick up on a question we explored with Lewis Loomba. What takes a project from a buyer saying they’re interested to actually signing a long-term contract? I’ll report back after RE+ on where those conversations go. What could the future look like for G.E.N. by PM? We’ve already earmarked March 4 for the next G.E.N. by PM. We’ve heard from people who couldn’t make the first one and are keen to join us next time, as well as people who’d like to be on the panel. We’re shaping the next discussion around investment strategy in renewables, with the exact focus still to come. Longer term, I’d love for it to become a regular fixture for the LA clean energy community, where people can build relationships over time and keep the conversations going between events.

Piper Maddox is pleased to announce a new strategic partnership with Stream Group, an innovative provider of digital asset management and AI-driven decision intelligence solutions for the renewable energy sector. As renewable energy portfolios continue to grow in scale and complexity, asset owners and operators are increasingly focused on improving asset performance, operational efficiency and the value generated from existing operational data. Stream Group’s technology is designed to help organisations address these challenges by integrating data from existing SCADA, CMMS, BI, market and weather systems and transforming it into actionable insights. Its platforms, WindSTREAM and SolarSTREAM, are designed specifically for wind and solar portfolios. Key capabilities include: Operational data analysis to identify hidden performance losses and anomalies AI-driven root-cause analysis to support faster identification of issues Predictive maintenance and optimisation to improve O&M decision-making Portfolio-level visibility by bringing technical, financial and market data together Quantified decision-making, helping asset managers understand the financial impact of operational actions Advanced scenario modelling to support strategic decisions around O&M, repowering and asset performance A key differentiator is Stream Group’s approach of operating as an additional intelligence layer rather than replacing existing systems. The technology integrates with existing infrastructure, allowing asset owners to build on the systems and data they already have. Supporting the next stage of renewable asset management Through this partnership, Piper Maddox will combine its specialist renewable energy market expertise and extensive industry network with Stream Group’s digital capabilities. The partnership will enable Piper Maddox to support clients not only with their people and talent strategies, but also by connecting them with solutions that can help address wider challenges around asset performance, operational optimisation and digitalisation. Stream Group also offers a free two-week performance teardown using data from one anonymised plant, providing asset owners and operators with an opportunity to identify potential performance opportunities before making any wider commitment. If you are exploring digitalisation, asset optimisation or how to extract greater value from your existing renewable asset data, the Piper Maddox team would be happy to facilitate an introduction to Stream Group. For more details contact shane: s.monks@pipermaddox.com + 44 117 471 9352 https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanemonks/

Making a career move when things are already going well can be a difficult decision. You’ve built your experience, developed a network and found a way of working that delivers results. The question then becomes whether staying comfortable is still helping you grow. That was something Manny Osaba found himself thinking about before joining Piper Maddox. He already had a strong foundation in recruitment and was performing consistently. What he wanted next was the chance to learn a different way of doing the job, have more influence with his clients and build a reputation of his own within a specialist market. Since joining Piper Maddox, Manny has launched our technology vertical within nuclear energy, built a team around the market and is approaching his second promotion within 18 months. As we continue to hire experienced and senior recruiters into Piper Maddox, we asked Manny about the move, what he was looking for and what the experience has given him so far. What made you consider a move at that stage in your career? "My first business gave me great foundational training to become a good recruiter and find consistent success. I just had this feeling that I would never be able to see if there were any different ways about doing the job if I stayed there forever. I didn’t want to restrict myself to learning from just one company when there could be other ways of going about client development, candidate development etc. I wanted to take a step to join an established, proven player but at a business where I wasn’t going to get lost amongst 100s or thousands of people either." What were you looking for from your next company? "I wanted to feel like I had more influence in the ultimate success of what my clients were trying to do vs. just being one of 1000s of other agencies. I wanted to be seen as an expert for what I did. I wanted to join a business where I could really make a name for myself in the space. I wanted the business I joined to have a great reputation in the market." Why did Piper Maddox stand out to you? "Having employee ownership is fantastic. The general tone of the business is really well balanced between being like a highly professionalized consultancy with specialist recruitment networks and also a reasonable/easy-going place to work." What have you been able to build or take ownership of since joining? "I was the first person in Piper Maddox to launch our technology vertical around our nuclear energy offerings. I started as a C3 and am approaching my second promotion within 18 months of being in the business. I now have a team of 3 who support nuclear with me and have brought several project retainers/subscription services/and embedded projects into the business." What has changed most in your career since making the move? "My clients really count on my input for what is realistic/achievable in terms of their goals to scale and commercialize their products. I also have developed into a more confident, stronger, and well-rounded person." What would you say to an experienced recruiter who is already doing well where they are? "How do you know you can’t be doing better in one of the hottest markets in recruitment."

The Future is Clean is back, bringing together voices from across the clean energy industry to share insight, experience and perspective on the people, careers and conversations shaping the sector. At Piper Maddox, we work closely with the people and businesses driving the energy transition forward. Through The Future is Clean, we’re continuing those conversations, speaking with industry leaders about their career journeys, the challenges facing the market, and what the future could look like for clean energy. In this episode, Myles Whaley, Senior Recruitment Consultant: Renewable Energy - Northern Europe at Piper Maddox, is joined by Hugh Gilmour, Head of Development UK at Telis Energy, for a Quick-fire Careers conversation. Together, they discuss Hugh’s route into renewable energy, how the industry has developed, the biggest challenges facing the sector right now, and his advice for anyone looking to build a career in renewables. Meet the Guest: Hugh Gilmour Hugh Gilmour is Head of Development UK at Telis Energy, a developer of large-scale renewable energy schemes. Coming from a chartered surveying background, Hugh has built his career across the renewable energy sector, working on some of the UK’s most innovative and ambitious projects. Before joining Telis Energy, he worked with businesses including EDF and Dalcour Maclaren, gaining experience across development, land, infrastructure and large-scale clean energy projects. In this episode, Hugh shares a brilliant perspective on what it takes to build a career in renewable energy, how the sector has changed, and where the industry could be heading next. We hope you enjoy this episode of The Future is Clean. Want to listen to this episode on the go? Check out the links below: 🎧 Listen on Spotify Podcasts here.🍎 Listen on Apple Podcasts here. Learn more about Telis Energy here. For career opportunities, market insight and more, visit: https://www.pipermaddox.com/jobs/ To reach out to the podcast host, contact Myles at m.whaley@pipermaddox.com.

International Women in Engineering Day is an opportunity to recognise the women helping to shape technical industries, but it is also a reminder of the work still needed to make these careers more visible, accessible and sustainable for the next generation. Across clean energy, engineering talent is playing a critical role in delivering the technologies, infrastructure and innovation needed for the energy transition. From renewable fuels and bioenergy to Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS), the sector depends on people who can solve complex problems and help move emerging technologies forward. But for the industry to keep progressing, it needs a broader range of people, perspectives and leadership styles shaping its future. We spoke to Lacey Collins, Divisional Manager - Renewable Fuels, Bioenergy & CCUS at Piper Maddox, about what drew her to clean energy, the barriers women still face in technical and male-dominated fields, and why representation matters when building long-term careers in the sector. What drew you to work in clean energy, particularly in such a technical and fast-evolving part of the industry? I was drawn to working in clean energy because of the passion shared by everyone in the industry. From my very first conversations with leaders in the space, it was clear that this field is driven by passion, integrity, and hard work From your experience, what are some of the barriers women still face when entering or progressing in engineering-related fields? The main barriers we see for women in male-dominated fields are a lack of representation or role models. It’s difficult for the first woman to pave the path for those behind her. Women also have more trouble as caregivers/parents with the hours, work environments, and inflexibility. Why do you think it’s important to spotlight women working in technical or male-dominated sectors like energy and engineering? When women see others succeeding in these spaces, it helps break down stereotypes and send the message that we all belong. Spotlighting women in industry also brings visibility to the unique perspectives, leadership styles, and innovations women contribute, which are essential for the growth and diversity of thought in any industry. Highlighting these stories helps pave the way for future generations and fosters a more inclusive, balanced workforce What’s one piece of advice you’d give to a woman looking to break into a clean energy or engineering-adjacent career? Find a role model/someone that can understand your position. A role model can help show that success is possible and show the blueprint for navigating any challenges that may come up.