Why human-centric design and digital tools will determine the success of the energy transition by Vincent Dessale, Chief Executive Markets & Commercial Officer at Nexans
As countries push to accelerate electrification by expanding renewable capacity and modernising ageing grids[1], it is becoming clearer that the energy transition will be built by people as much as by infrastructure. The sector speaks frequently about investment levels, supply chains and new technologies. However, the most decisive variable in reaching climate and electrification targets may be something far more human – the skilled technicians responsible for installing and maintaining the vast network of cable systems, joints, connections and components that keep the grid running.
Across many regions, utilities are facing rising demand for new grid connections and upgrades, yet the workforce needed to carry them out is under unprecedented strain. Retirements are accelerating and training requirements are becoming more complex as power networks evolve. This is not a marginal issue. Even if material supply and funding keep pace with demand, the shortage of qualified field technicians threatens to become a bottleneck for the entire energy transition. Without a workforce that can install and maintain new infrastructure safely and efficiently, ambitious targets for electrification will remain out of reach.
This raises a critical question: how can the industry enable its existing and future workforce to perform at its best?
Designing with people in mind
One answer lies in rethinking how tools, components and processes are designed. For decades, many field products were engineered primarily for technical performance, often overlooking the practical realities technicians encounter on site. Tight working conditions, heavy components, repetitive motions, unintuitive assembly steps and high physical demands are common.
Adopting human-centric designs shifts how people need to operate. Instead of expecting technicians to adapt to products, this approach can ensure products are better adapted to technicians. That begins with understanding real working conditions, such as how installers move, where strain occurs, which procedures lead to errors and what slows a job down. Giving engineers the opportunity to share their insights early in product development allows developers to unlock changes that bring immediate benefits.
Recently, we’ve seen an advancement of components with clearer interfaces, reduced installation steps, safer handling, and lighter or streamlined options that minimise fatigue. Even simple adjustments, such as more intuitive packaging or easier transport mechanisms, can reduce friction during installation and support a more resilient workforce. These improvements may be low-tech, but they have a positive impact on ways of working. They lead to fewer errors, faster learning curves and more consistent installation quality across teams with varying levels of experience.
The digital layer elevating field performanceÂ
Yet physical design is only one dimension of workforce empowerment. As grids become more complex and the pressure for speed and accuracy intensifies, digital technologies are emerging as essential counterparts to human expertise.
AI-enhanced mobile tools, for example, are transforming how installation quality is verified. Instead of relying solely on manual inspection, technicians can capture images with a standard device and receive guided feedback in real time. This reduces the likelihood of errors, supports less experienced workers and can dramatically shorten the verification process.
Concurrently, augmented reality (AR) is reshaping field training and installation workflows. By overlaying digital guidance onto physical equipment, AR allows technicians to see exactly how components should be positioned, the sequence of each step and whether the installation meets required standards. It also opens the door to remote assistance, enabling experts to support teams in the field without travelling. This has proven to be a significant advantage for work done in remote regions or for emergency repairs.
The result is a shift from reactive problem-solving to proactive precision. Technicians gain confidence, utilities gain reliability, and the overall system becomes safer and more resilient.
Building a workforce ready for the future
These advances share a common philosophy that technology should enhance human capability, not attempt to replace it. The energy transition will require not only more hands in the field but smarter and more empowering ways of working. For companies across the energy ecosystem, this means investing in tools and design processes, as well as more accessible training, which meet workers where they are operating. It can become a reality by reducing the complexity of critical tasks and giving teams the digital support they need to make informed decisions in real time.
Most importantly, it means recognising that human capability is not a soft factor but a strategic lever. A grid is only as dependable as the people who build and maintain it. As electrification efforts intensify, the industry must prioritise workforce empowerment with the same urgency as it prioritises materials and technology.
The future of electrification won’t be defined solely by what gets installed, but by how – and by whom – it is installed. Companies that put people at the centre of their innovation strategies will be the ones best positioned to meet the demands of a rapidly electrifying world.
