The right people to make the energy transition happen

A G4 municipality faced a major challenge as part of the energy transition. Hundreds of projects are needed to expand the electricity grid and prevent grid congestion. The challenge goes beyond technology and infrastructure. Municipal processes involving spatial planning, permits and decision-making also affect the pace of progress. Above all, however, there is the challenge of having enough people with the right expertise.

The central question was whether the municipality would have enough people with the right expertise over the coming years to deliver this growing workload. If not, where would the greatest bottlenecks arise, and what decisions would be needed to address them in time?

We were brought in for our in-depth expertise in strategic workforce capacity planning to provide these insights while laying the foundations for an ongoing, structured approach to capacity planning.

We started with the work ahead rather than existing staffing levels. First, we mapped out the expected workload for the coming years. We then identified the roles, expertise and staffing capacity needed to carry out the work.

Working with experts and the directorates involved, we tested and refined these estimates. By comparing future requirements with available capacity, we identified where and when potential gaps in staffing capacity and skills could emerge.

Based on these findings, we developed a capacity model that draws partly on AI and allows for different scenarios. This enables the municipality to plan ahead, model the implications of future developments and make earlier decisions about capacity and expertise. We also advised on how this approach could be developed into an established practice of strategic workforce capacity planning.

The municipality now has a clear understanding of the staffing capacity and expertise needed to address a critical challenge facing society. The model links future workloads to people and skills, highlighting where timely action is needed. The approach also goes beyond tackling electricity grid congestion. It provides a foundation for anticipating the requirements of other long-term strategic challenges and making more informed decisions about future workforce needs.