With today’s increasingly extreme weather events, it’s never been more critical for utility companies to prepare robust mitigation strategies. Since 2000, the United States has experienced a 67% increase in significant power outages caused by extreme weather-related events.
A report by DTN analyzed how North American utility firms are addressing the increased pressure. In response to severe weather or natural disasters, 39% of utilities indicated their regulatory commission had shifted its interest and efforts toward hardening infrastructure to reduce outages from severe weather. Additionally, 48% of respondents reported increased investment in infrastructure hardening to meet regulatory requirements, compared to 20% who increased their investment in weather prediction solutions.