CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES AT UTILITY COMPANIES AMID PANDEMICS

Abstract

The role of utility companies becomes critical during any natural or manmade disaster. Being a
critical infrastructure provider, the utility sector is expected to remain prepared to respond to
any foreseeable hazard including health emergencies. Widespread quarantines, workforce
disruptions, and travel restrictions due COVID-19 outbreak have taught a new perspective to the
utility management to handle challenges and explore opportunities within. Planning for a health
emergency like COVID-19 however anticipates exceptional planning to ensure business
continuity because it requires operating with a much smaller workforce, an endangered supply
chain, and limited resourcefulness for an unknown period. The utility industry, government, and
health authorities have to gather and share up-to-date information, best practices, and guidance
to help employees stay safe and maintain operational integrity. Sharing practices and expertise
enables different stakeholders to make better-informed independent and localized decisions to
help reduce negative impacts to the region's electric power supply during pandemics.
Consequent to the COVID-19 pandemic, several investor-owned electric and/or natural gas
companies, public power utilities, and electric cooperatives have developed their business
continuity and pandemic plans. Business continuity is a critical and commonly studied issue for
both companies and academia. This paper reviews the business continuity and pandemic plans of
few utility companies operating in American, Asian, and African continents. Findings are
tabulated. The data points, stakeholders, and options to consider in making decisions about
operational status at the same time protecting the health and safety of employees, customers, and
communities are analyzed and discussed. Finally, the results are summarized. Limitations of the
study and suggestions for future studies are made. The paper advances the scholarly discussion
on the challenges and opportunities at the utility companies amid pandemics. It can help the
utility management and policymakers in defining response strategies and actions during such
challenges.