Overview of the energy and utilities sector in the UK

The energy and utilities sector continues to expand as fossil fuels dwindle and awareness of the environment grows. Discover what it's like to work in the industry...

What areas of energy and utilities can I work in?

Energy and public utilities consist of a range of industries that share some significant similarities. These include:

• oil and gas extraction;
• oil and gas transmission and distribution;
• power generation and transmission;
• water;
• waste management.

These industries are of global significance and include some of the world's largest and best-resourced employers. Some of them, most notably oil and gas extraction, have come through the recession more easily than other sectors and have become increasingly important to graduates as a result.

Within these industries, there are many roles available to graduates, including:

• strategy and planning;
• financial management;
• human resources management;
• information technologies;
• operational management;
• technical specialists, particularly in engineering;
• marketing and PR.

For examples of job roles in this sector, see graduate jobs in energy and utilities.

Who are the main graduate employers?

Many of the largest companies in this sector are multi-faceted global organisations. Companies of this size operating in the UK include:

• BP
• Chevron
• Esso (part of the global company Exxon Mobil)
• Petrobras
• Shell (part of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group)
• Total

Energy companies supplying the UK include:

• Atlantic Electric and Gas
• British Gas
• Centrica
• Ebico
• EDF Energy
• E.ON Energy
• npower
• Scottish Power
• United Utilities

There are many organisations currently operating in renewable technologies, and a large number of small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). A number of companies with interests in conventional power now have sizeable green divisions.

Many SMEs in the sector provide a range of specialist services, particularly in consultancy and technical or engineering roles.

There are more than 20 water companies in the UK, including the Thames Water Ltd, United Utilities and Veolia Water, while the waste management and recycling market also offers many opportunities. Companies include Biffa, Viridor and Waste Recycling Group.

What's it like working in the sector?

Graduates entering the energy and utilities sector can expect:

• long working hours - employers place emphasis on 'getting the project done' rather than maintaining standard hours;
• high salaries, increasing for those who work offshore or overseas. Scientists and engineers in professions experiencing demand in the oil and gas industry, such as geologists and corrosion engineers, may be offered significantly more;
• office, laboratory or site-based work, with site visits and field work being conducted outside in all weather.

What are the key issues in the energy and utilities sector?

Global demand for oil and gas is increasing, while supplies in reserves that are currently exploited are decreasing. The industry has a challenge, vitally important to the modern industrial economy, of ensuring future oil and gas supplies.

The sector is in the strange position of simultaneously being considered partly responsible for climate change and being one of the key players in moves to mitigate it and find alternative sources of energy to reduce it in the future. Issues around climate change profoundly affect the way the industry approaches new development and business.

As a result of the sector being associated with environmental damage, it can suffer from a poor public image. In addition, some areas of the sector, such as waste management, are seen as unglamorous, while others are associated with difficult working environments.

Skills shortages are also an issue. The fast-moving nature of parts of the industry, the geographic isolation of some sites, and the continuing growth of the sector means that specialist engineers, chemists and geologists are often in demand. Those with project management, planning, and degree-level science and engineering skills are also in demand.

The sector faces a challenge to ensure staff are well trained and can adapt readily to new techniques and technology, as it spends a great deal on research and development, and drives a significant amount of technological and industrial change.