Electricity pylons and high-tension wires against a dusk sky.

Electric and Gas Utilities

Power your grid with resilient, sustainable energy solutions. CDM Smith partners with electric and gas utilities to deliver integrated design, construction, permitting and compliance that results in reliable, efficient operations.

Market Lead

Paul Barter

Powering progress: resilient, sustainable solutions for tomorrow's grid

Construction workers wearing safety gear operate a large drill on a street with orange safety netting around the area.

Electrical substation fenced off, with power lines and equipment against a clear blue sky.

Construction worker in hard hat and reflective vest holds a folder, with machinery and trees in the background.

Helping utilities plan, modernize and deliver electricity and thermal energy solutions. By leveraging industry partnerships, smart grid technologies and our insight, we optimize performance, enhance resilience and accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more connected energy landscape.

Integrated engineering & construction

Accelerating delivery—from planning,budgeting, permitting, and pre-purchasing long lead equipment to integrated design and construction—delivering safe, compliant, and on-time utility projects.

Proven safety with large-scale utilities

Partnering with major utilities nationwide, we work side by side to deliver complex projects safely, on time, and within budget— building trust through collaboration and shared success.

Technology-led, multi discipline innovation

Partnering with major utilities nationwide, we work side by side to deliver complex projects safely, on time, and within budget— building trust through collaboration and shared success.

Driving sustainability with results

Empowering utilities to meet sustainability goals by delivering measurable results—reducing emissions, optimizing energy efficiency, and verifying performance with data-driven solutions.

Trusted by clients, backed by results

2,500+

geotechnical borings completed since 2019

50+

active substation upgrade projects

60+

completed substation upgrade projects

Featured electric and gas projects

View More Industrial Projects

Kupferzell, Germany

The world’s largest grid battery storage project

Germany’s Kupferzell Grid Booster adds 250 MW per hour of storage capacity, stabilizing the transmission grid and advancing the energy transition.

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Two workers in high-visibility vests and helmets converse at a geothermal worksite with machinery in the background.

Framingham, Massachusetts

Eversource pilots a future-ready thermal network

Eversource is breaking ground on the nation’s first utility thermal energy network, partnering with CDM Smith to advance clean, cost-effective, and carbon-neutral heating and cooling solutions.

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Two excavators installing large pipes along a roadside, with construction cones and utility poles visible.

Ocean County, New Jersey

Hardening New Jersey’s coastal gas network

After Superstorm Sandy exposed major vulnerabilities, New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) strengthened its system with a new pipeline to protect customers from storm outages.

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Industrial power plant structure with emission control systems and two smokestacks, set against a clear blue sky.

Confidential Location

Reducing emissions while maintaining operations

Engineering procurement construction (EPC) delivery of two new selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems helped one power client meet federal decrees.

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Person in plaid blazer and t-shirt standing with arms crossed.

Energy and utility companies face growing demands. We partner closely with clients to deliver reliable solutions through proven processes and a strong safety culture.

Paul Barter, PE

Electrical Engineer

Paul has deep experience in energy, water and power design and construction. He works closely with technical experts to find solutions to even the most difficult problems.

Related practices

Automation

We assist clients around the world with all phases of instrumentation, process control and automation, delivering high-quality solutions that exceed expectations but not budgets.

Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing & Fire Protection (MEP+FP)

We’ve completed hundreds of projects from planning and design to system start-up and commissioning, involving boilers, chillers, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), primary and secondary distribution, substations, power generation, cogeneration and sustainable/renewable energy systems.

Climate Resilience

We can no longer rely on the past to prepare for the future. Our teams work across water, transportation, environment and infrastructure to implement right-size solutions backed by climate science.

Program Management

CDM Smith’s program management team is bringing complexity under control by building strong, enduring relationships.

Construction

CDM Smith is an integrated design-builder with a legacy of successful projects. We work as one entity to deliver a legendary client experience from project inceptions through design, preconstruction, construction and commissioning.

Remediation

We restore environments and protect communities by delivering innovative, science-based solutions that reduce risk and lifecycle costs. Using advanced technologies and adaptive strategies, we help clients achieve resilient, long-term results.

Construction Management

CDM Smith provides full-service construction management solutions across the water, environmental, transportation, energy and facilities industries.

Water Resources Infrastructure and Resiliency

Forward-thinking water resources planning, design construction and operations means making smarter investments that lower life-cycle costs and provide multiple benefits.

Geotechnical, Tunnels and Dams

We offer a full range of traditional and specialty geotechnical services with an emphasis on managing risk and delivering innovative solutions to our clients’ complex projects.

Ready to take the next steps?

We love collaborating with passionate individuals and organizations. If you want to talk about potential projects, reach out to our experts. If you're interested in joining our team, check our careers page for open positions or internships.

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