Digital development initiatives continue to be a priority for utilities companies, especially in terms of cost efficiency, according to Vlad Gheorghe, Senior Project Manager, Horváth & Partners Management Consultants.

“From an investor perspective, COVID-19 has changed the traditional role of “defensive investment” in utilities.,” he said. “New ways of working have appeared, the behavior of household customers has changed, planned or necessary investments have been canceled.”

The statement has been uttered within the recently held e-conference DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION CONFERENCE in ENERGY & UTILITIES organized by The Diplomat-Bucharest, bringing together leaders spearheading digital initiatives in their organizations.

The conference benefited from the support of  Gold Partners Siemens, MET, Horwath & Partners, Kaspersky, SAS, Partners Sea One, Wave and supporting institutions ANRE (Romanian Energy Regulatory Authority), CIO Council, ANIS (the Employers’ Association of the Software and Services in Romania), ACUE (Federation of Associations of Energy Utility Companies), AFEER (Association of traders with electricity in Romania), ARPEE (Romanian Association for the Promotion of Energy), Romanian National Committee  of CIGRE, ClujIT, World Energy Council.