By Aaron Foyer
VP, Orennia
Utilities in North America are crucial for providing essential services such as electricity, natural gas, water, and sewage to millions of households and businesses. They are foundational to economic stability, public health, and overall quality of life across the continent.
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MAJOR TYPES OF UTILITIES
- Power: Generate, transmit, and distribute electrical power. These utilities operate large power plants, wind farms, solar arrays, and hydroelectric dams to ensure a continuous supply of electricity.
- Natural Gas: Supply fuel for heating, cooking, and electricity generation. These utilities manage extensive networks of pipelines and storage facilities.
- Water: Provide clean drinking water and manage wastewater. These utilities maintain treatment plants, distribution systems, and sewage networks.
- Sewage: Handle wastewater collection and treatment, ensuring that sewage is processed and returned to the environment safely.
Utilities are major employers and investors in infrastructure projects, contributing significantly to local and national economies. They also support industries by providing the energy and resources needed for production and operations.
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THE LARGEST PUBLIC UTILITIES IN NORTH AMERICA
| Company | Type | Country |
| NextEra | Power and gas | US |
| Southern Company | Power and gas | US |
| Duke Energy | Power and gas | US |
| Constellation Energy | Power and gas | US |
| PG&E | Power and gas | US |
| Sempra Energy | Power and gas | US |
| American Electric Power | Power and gas | US |
| National Grid | Power and gas | UK |
| Dominion Energy | Power and gas | US |
| Public Service Enterprise Group | Power and gas | US |
| Exelon | Power and gas | US, Canada |
| Consolidated Edison | Power and gas | US |
| Vistra | Power and gas | US |
| Xcel Energy | Power and gas | US |
| BCE | Internet and communications | Canada |
| Edison International | Power | US |
| American Water Works | Water | US |
| WEC Energy Group | Power and gas | US |
| DTE Energy | Power and gas | US |
| Entergy | Power and gas | US |
Aaron Foyer is Vice President, Research and Analytics at Orennia. Prior to Orennia, he leveraged his technical background in management consulting and finance roles. He has experience across the energy landscape including clean hydrogen, renewables, biofuels, oil and gas, petrochemicals and carbon capture.
