Energy and Utilities

Long-term performance is critical in the energy and utilities industry. Assets in this sector must not only operate reliably under current complex demands but also adapt to future stressors, including climate events, system upgrades, and changes in regulatory requirements. Operators must proactively manage the aging of structures, materials, equipment, and systems to minimize costly downtime and avoid failure.

SOCOTEC brings long-term value with:

• Engineering and technical inspections, evaluations and testing (structural, electrical, mechanical, geotechnical, envelope, etc)
• Design review and recommendations
• Predictive maintenance planning
• HAZOP process analysis
• Non-destructive and destructive evaluation
• Operations, maintenance, and procedures optimization
• Structural health monitoring and instrumentation
• Material degradation, fatigue, and stress analysis
• Capital reserve studies and asset lifecycle planning
• Forensic engineering and root cause analysis
• Modeling, mockups, and predictive simulations
• Failure analysis, root cause and accident investigation
• Commissioning & retro-commissioning
• Fitness for service evaluation

We help extend the life of energy assets through data-driven strategies that improve resilience, reduce operational disruptions, and support investment planning.

Compliance in the energy and utilities industry is multifaceted and continuous. From environmental permitting to building code enforcement, stakeholders must address regulatory requirements at every stage of their project: from concept design to long-term operations. Delays or oversights can derail projects, increase costs, and expose teams to legal and reputational risks.

SOCOTEC provides code guidance at every step, including:

• Permitting and filing strategies
• Code compliance reviews (NFPA, ICC, etc.)
• Independent inspections and commissioning
• Documentation for regulatory approvals and audits
• Ongoing compliance monitoring and reporting
• Engineering design consulting
• Technology assessments and licensing
• Supply chain logistics, material handling processes
• Field development and feasibility studies
• Project evaluations and financing
• Market analysis and contract audits
• Due diligence reviews for acquisitions

We partner with clients to streamline permitting processes and reduce friction throughout the project lifecycle, enabling faster, more confident project execution.

Energy infrastructure is central to decarbonization, but it must also address its own environmental footprint. Projects today are expected to reduce emissions, limit ecological impact, and deliver social value. Investors and local communities are demanding greater transparency, measurable sustainability performance, and long-term climate resilience.

SOCOTEC drives sustainable outcomes through:

• Carbon footprint and embodied carbon analysis
• Environmental impact studies and climate risk assessments
• Energy modeling and renewable system commissioning
• ESG advisory and sustainability certification support (LEED, WELL, etc.)
• Resilience planning and adaptation strategies
• Remediation and waste management
• Environmental compliance and new regulatory permitting
• Customized sustainability plans
• GHG reporting assistance

We help energy and utility clients align infrastructure goals with sustainability mandates—supporting both business performance and environmental responsibility.

Construction and operation of energy assets often involve hazardous conditions, from live utilities and electrical systems to extreme weather exposure and remote work sites. Ensuring worker protection and maintaining safety for communities and environment is a legal requirement, but also a critical component of project success.

SOCOTEC helps clients build a culture of safety through:

• Soil, groundwater and seismic conditions assessment
• Construction site safety audits and inspections
• Hazardous materials testing and management
• Fire protection engineering and life safety code reviews
• Emergency response and risk management planning
• Industrial hygiene and occupational health services
• Exposure limits and radius calculation
• Risk evaluation and management
• Personal injuries and incident investigation
• Process safety management program development
• Integrity management and certified industry inspections

Our life safety experts work collaboratively to identify hazards early, implement controls, and protect the people and environments that make these projects possible.

Energy infrastructure projects are large, capital-intensive, and often located in remote or technically challenging environments. Coordinating across contractors, vendors, and stakeholders, while staying on schedule and within budget, requires expert oversight. Cost overruns, scheduling delays, and logistics issues are common, especially in utility-scale renewable energy projects and high-demand facilities like semiconductor plants.

SOCOTEC supports successful delivery through:

• Owner’s representative and program management services
• Technical advisory and design consulting
• Risk assessment and mitigation planning
• Installation and commissioning
• Systems and equipment testing
• Scheduling and project controls
• Cost analysis and estimating
• Contractor management
• Field support and mobilization
• On-site monitoring and construction inspection
• Troubled project turnaround
• Delay, productivity, and construction defect analysis
• Standard of care and technical merit analysis
• Quantification of damages (business Interruption, asset valuations, bankruptcy, fraud, breach, lost profits, etc.)
• Product liability, patent infringement, and intellectual property evaluation
• Insurance claims
• Failure analysis and forensic evaluations
• Claim evaluation, preparation, and resolution
• Litigation support and expert testimony

We act as an independent, expert voice—reducing risk, ensuring quality, and enabling transparency across all phases of construction.