According to a recent study, the push to electrify transportation is accelerating faster than many realize.

By 2030, the electric vehicle charging market will need to expand tenfold to support an estimated 27 million EVs on the road, and possibly 92 million by 2040. That means going from about 4 million charge points today to roughly 35 million in just seven years. Single-family and multifamily homes will make up about 80 percent of that demand.

As the EV market increases, so does the need for reliable charging across sectors. For electrical workers, this growth extends well beyond installing chargers. It includes service upgrades, load calculations, system design, maintenance, and long-term planning. Skilled electrical professionals play a critical role in all of these areas.

The EV Market: National & Regional Snapshots 

Early clean-energy initiatives, utility programs, and emissions-reduction goals helped accelerate both vehicle ownership and charging deployment across Washington and Oregon. What’s changed is scale. Early EV projects often involved one or two chargers. Now, installations frequently include multi-unit residential buildings, workplace charging hubs, public parking facilities, and fast-charging sites along major routes.

EV Market Numbers: Then & Now

Just a few years ago there were nearly 2.5 million electric vehicles registered in the U.S., with a little over 64,000 charging stations.

According to data from the end of 2025, the U.S. now has 78,361 EV charging stations, supporting 237,134 individual charging ports. 

The same report shows the Pacific Northwest’s current numbers:

• Oregon: 1,633 stations and 4,296 ports
• Washington: 2,939 stations and 8,486 ports
• Seattle: Ranks in the top five U.S. cities, with 714 stations and 1,917 ports

4 Types of Charging Levels & Their Electrical Applications 

Each charging level has its own specific application in both the private and public sectors, as well as its own speed and energy output. Understanding their roles in an expanding EV market is crucial for the electrical industry.

1. Residential Level 2 Charging
   Most single-family homes use Level 2 chargers operating on 240V service, with outputs up to approximately 9.6 kW. These systems are designed for overnight charging and often require panel capacity checks, load calculations, and code-compliant installation.
2. Workplace and Office Charging
   Commercial Level 2 chargers are typically pedestal-mounted and hardwired. While they operate on the same voltage as residential units, shared use and longer dwell times require careful circuit planning and consideration for future expansion.
3. Public Parking Charging
   Chargers installed in garages and public lots range from higher-power Level 2 units to DC fast chargers up to 50 kW. These installations frequently involve dedicated circuits, upgraded service, and coordination with utilities.
4. Highway and On-the-Go Fast Charging
   DC fast chargers along highways deliver up to 150 kW and require three-phase service, robust protection, and thoughtful grid impact planning. These systems represent some of the most complex EV installations.

Electrical Contractors Are Key to Meeting EV Infrastructure Needs

As electric vehicles become more common, the demand for reliable charging infrastructure is increasing. Electrical contractors have the expertise to address the challenges this growth brings and ensure systems are safe, efficient, and ready for the future.

• Expansion of Fast-Charging Networks
  Drivers expect quick, convenient charging similar to fueling stations. Meeting that expectation requires electricians experienced with high-load systems and uptime requirements.
• Modernizing Aging Infrastructure
  Many buildings and transit systems were not designed for EV demand. Panel upgrades, service increases, and system retrofits are becoming standard scopes of work.
• Ongoing Maintenance & Repairs
  Copper theft and equipment damage are driving up repair needs. Plus, many EV stations use outdated components, making replacement parts hard to find. Electricians ensure these systems stay safe and operational.

As EV charging becomes a standard fixture in homes and communities, electrical professionals with the right expertise are shaping the future of this essential infrastructure.

Keep Current with NECA-IBEW Local 48

The NECA-IBEW Local 48 partnership is a community where you can learn, share, and stay connected as the industry evolves. Membership provides access to continuing education, on-the-job training programs, and valuable support networks. 

Visit our membership pages for the Oregon-Columbia Chapter of NECA or IBEW Local 48 to learn more.

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Artificial intelligence is already being used in electrical work, from smarter grids and connected equipment to software that supports estimating and project planning.

For electricians and contractors, the question isn’t whether AI exists. It’s how it changes the work on the jobsite. Which tasks can it actually assist with, and which ones still rely on hands-on expertise?

AI isn’t replacing skilled electricians, but it is affecting how projects are planned, managed, and executed. Understanding where it’s being applied, the challenges it brings, and its impact on electrical demand helps professionals make informed decisions in a rapidly evolving environment.

What Is AI & Why Does It Matter to the Electrical Industry?

AI refers to software that analyzes large amounts of data to spot patterns, predict outcomes, and support day-to-day decision-making. In the electrical industry, this usually means using data from power grids, equipment, buildings, and job costs to improve efficiency and reliability.

As electrical systems expand to support renewable energy, EV charging, smart buildings, and higher power demand, AI helps utilities and contractors forecast load, catch equipment issues early, optimize energy use, and keep projects on track and within budget.

7 Ways AI Is Being Used in the Electrical Industry

AI is already finding practical applications across the electrical industry. From improving efficiency to helping manage complex systems, it’s changing how contractors, electricians, and utilities work every day. Here are seven ways AI is being put to use right now.

1) Smart Grid Management & Load Forecasting

AI systems analyze historical energy use, weather trends, and real-time grid data to forecast demand and generation more accurately. This helps utilities reduce waste and integrate renewable energy without compromising reliability. 

Why it matters: Better forecasting drives grid upgrades, system expansions, and long-term infrastructure projects.

2) Predictive Maintenance & Asset Monitoring

AI monitors transformers, switchgear, and substations to identify early signs of wear or failure. Addressing issues before breakdowns occur reduces outages and emergency repairs.

Why it matters: Increased demand for sensor installation, system upgrades, and data-driven maintenance work.

3) Real-Time Grid Control & Fault Detection

AI-enabled systems continuously assess grid health, isolate faults, and reroute power automatically to minimize downtime.

Why it matters: Growing need for electricians skilled in automation, protection systems, and high-voltage controls.

4) Renewable Energy & Distributed Resource Optimization

Balancing intermittent sources like solar, wind, and battery storage is one of AI’s strongest use cases. AI forecasts generation and demand to help stabilize the grid as renewables scale.

Why it matters: Contractors play a key role in installing and maintaining increasingly complex renewable and storage systems.

5) Automated Inspections, Quality Control & Safety

AI analyzes images, sensor data, and reports to detect defects, safety risks, and compliance issues across facilities and infrastructure projects.

Why it matters: Safer jobsites, higher-quality installations, and fewer inspection delays.

6) Customer Energy Management & Smart Systems

AI supports demand-response programs, dynamic pricing, and energy management tools that help customers monitor and optimize energy use.

Why it matters: Growing demand for smart panels, EV charging infrastructure, building automation, and connected systems.

7) Estimating, Bidding & Business Operations

AI-assisted estimating tools help contractors streamline material takeoffs, cost forecasting, scheduling, and risk analysis.

Why it matters: AI is becoming both a practical business tool and a utility technology.

How AI Is Increasing Demand on Electrical Infrastructure

AI applications require enormous computing power and energy, driving demand for large data centers and the electrical infrastructure that supports them. As AI adoption grows, these facilities are placing increased strain on local electrical grids, raising questions about long-term capacity planning.

In fact, Oregon passed a bill requiring data centers to pay for the actual strain they place on the electrical grid rather than passing those costs on to consumers. While this has sparked debate about where future facilities may be built, it highlights a broader trend: AI-driven growth is accelerating demand for electrical infrastructure.

What this means for contractors and electricians:

• Utility upgrades and substation projects
• High-voltage and transmission work
• Data-center construction and retrofits
• Long-term grid modernization investments

Will AI Replace Electricians?

AI cannot install conduit, terminate conductors, troubleshoot live systems, or ensure work meets code requirements on a jobsite. Industry experts consistently emphasize that AI augments skilled labor rather than replaces it. What is changing is the type of work electricians support: more automation, more data-enabled equipment, and greater involvement in secure, connected systems.

As buildings, substations, and industrial facilities become more intelligent, electricians are increasingly needed to install, power, and maintain the infrastructure that makes those systems work. That includes sensors, controls, networking hardware, backup power, and the electrical backbone behind AI-driven tools. In practice, AI tends to reduce manual paperwork and guesswork, while increasing demand for skilled professionals who understand both electrical systems and how technology interacts with them.

Become Part of Our Community of Electrical Professionals

The NECA–IBEW Local 48 partnership gives members access to a strong professional community and resources that support long-term career growth. Through education, hands-on training, and networking, members learn from experienced mentors, work on real-world projects, and stay current with the tools and technologies shaping today’s electrical industry.

Visit the Oregon-Columbia Chapter of NECA or IBEW Local 48 to learn more about membership and resources.

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Climate change is reshaping how we generate, deliver, and use electricity. Across the Pacific Northwest, shifting weather patterns, rising temperatures, and increasing intensity of storms are testing the limits of our power systems and infrastructure.

These challenges signal an emerging transformation in the electrical industry. New builds and retrofits will require professionals knowledgeable in supporting clean energy, grid modernization, and disaster preparedness.

How Climate Change Is Reshaping the Electrical Sector

The Pacific Northwest has been known for its focus on sustainability and hydropower innovation. Yet, climate change adds new complexity to the region’s energy equation.

• Changing precipitation patterns are disrupting hydropower generation, affecting electricity predictability.
• All-electric and solar-powered buildings, while environmentally responsible, can be more vulnerable to outages during extreme weather.
• Warmer, drier summers are increasing wildfire risks, threatening aboveground transmission lines and construction timelines.

Meeting Rising Energy Demand in the Northwest

Delayed grid upgrades coupled with increasing demands for energy are further complicating an already vulnerable system. By 2030, Oregon and Washington could face a 9-gigawatt gap between how much energy is being produced and what communities require. As a result, planned rolling blackouts during extreme weather could begin as soon as 2026. 

Several powerful trends are converging to reshape electricity demand: 

• The Electrification of Everything: From vehicles and home heating to industrial equipment, more systems are switching to electricity to cut carbon emissions, driving up power demand and changing infrastructure requirements.
• Rapid Data Center Expansion: The Pacific Northwest’s tech-driven economy depends on data centers that require massive, continuous power supplies and robust cooling systems.
• Smart-Building Technology: Modern commercial and residential developments are increasingly designed with advanced automation, sustainable infrastructure and renewable integration in mind.

These shifts are placing greater pressure on the region’s existing grid and requiring a new generation of projects designed around resilience, flexibility, and efficiency. For contractors and electricians, these shifts mean adapting how and what we build, ensuring new systems can withstand environmental stress while supporting reliability.

Shaping the Future of Electrical Work

As the energy landscape evolves, a variety of technologies and practices are shaping the future of electrical work. Electricians are equipped to meet the challenge. The sector’s technical know-how, problem-solving, and adaptability shape the systems of the energy future. Here’s how:

Renewables and storage are second nature.
With a strong foundation in electrical systems, electricians are naturally prepared to integrate battery storage and renewable energy, now core features of modern projects.

Smart systems are in their wheelhouse.
As buildings get smarter, the electricians’ background in wiring and controls gives them a head start. Connecting and maintaining these systems keeps energy flowing efficiently.

Codes and compliance come naturally.
Electricians already work to strict standards, so adapting to new energy-efficiency and resilience codes, such as compliance with Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), is part of the job.

Diagnostics and data are part of the toolkit.
Today’s systems rely on sensors and analytics, and electricians’ troubleshooting skills make them pros at keeping performance on track.

Innovative climate-ready solutions.
From thermal energy networks to undergrounding power lines, electricians are implementing resilience technologies to protect communities and the grid.

Electrical Innovation Driving a Cleaner Energy Future

As climate impacts intensify, the electrical industry plays a defining role in how communities adapt and transition toward sustainability. Every upgraded system, renewable installation, and microgrid project moves the region closer to a cleaner and more reliable energy future.

Across the Pacific Northwest and beyond, electrical professionals are not only keeping the power on. They’re helping reimagine how it’s generated and sustained in an era defined by change.

Join the NECA-IBEW Local 48 Community

Electricians’ roles are expanding into areas like microgrids, green infrastructure, and resilience planning.  Whether you are starting out in the trade or want to stay on top of energy trends and education, a supportive community is essential. 

The NECA–IBEW Local 48 partnership provides access to career-enhancing training, resources, and a network of fellow industry members. 

Visit the Oregon-Columbia Chapter of NECA or IBEW Local 48 to learn more about membership and resources.

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Energy awareness is growing fast among both homeowners and business owners. In the Northwest alone, energy demand is expected to double by 2046, fueled by automation, electrification, and the ongoing push to save on energy costs. This surge in demand means the power grid needs to evolve, and electrical professionals will be at the forefront.

What are DERs in Energy?

Distributed Energy Resources, or DERs, are small-scale power sources that generate or store electricity near where it’s used. Unlike traditional centralized power plants, DERs allow local communities and businesses to produce their own energy. 

How Do DERs Work?

DERs connect directly to the distribution grid. Instead of pushing electricity long distances through transmission lines, DERs’ localized setup allows the grid to respond faster to changing energy demands. There are two types of DERs: physical and virtual.

Physical DERs

Physical DERs are the equipment you can see and touch. These systems generate or store power locally, supply energy directly to a building, or send excess energy back to the grid.

Examples of Commercial & Residential DERs

• Rooftop and other solar photovoltaic panels
• Wind turbines
• Battery and energy storage systems
• EV charging stations

Virtual DERs

Virtual DERs, on the other hand, are software-driven systems that coordinate multiple DERs to act as one. Known as Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), they use cloud-based platforms, real-time communication, and automation to balance loads, predict usage patterns, and support grid stability.

Necessary Features of DERs

Every DER, whether physical or virtual, requires a few key features to work efficiently:

• Smart inverters to convert and control power flow
• Communication interfaces for two-way data sharing with utilities
• Energy management software for optimization and monitoring
• Grid interconnection standards to ensure safe and reliable operation

For electricians, understanding these systems is crucial. From safe installation to troubleshooting and ongoing maintenance, skilled professionals are at the center of the energy transformation taking place today.

Electrical Grid Demand & DERs

As our digital world grows, data centers are using more electricity than ever to keep cloud computing, automation, and online services running 24/7. These facilities can consume 10 to 50 times more energy per square foot than a typical commercial building. In the U.S., data centers used about 4.4% of all electricity in 2023, and that number could jump to 12% by 2028, with demand expected to rise more than 160% by 2030.

DERs are an essential component in meeting demand loads and ensuring grid reliability. 

• Smart grids use two-way communication between utilities and DERs to provide real-time data to utilities and consumers.
• Data collected can adjust DERs’ output and calculate energy demand.
• Smart grid and DER integration can automatically balance loads during peak times and provide local back-up power during outages.

DERs constitute a significant piece of the grid modernization puzzle. They make the system more flexible, reduce strain on transmission lines, and support renewable energy adoption. This not only enhances grid reliability but also contributes to a more sustainable energy future. For electricians, this shift means new opportunities to install, maintain, and integrate advanced technologies.

What Electrical Professionals Need to Know

As DERs become more common in commercial and residential projects, electrical professionals must expand their knowledge beyond traditional wiring and power distribution. Here are a few key areas to focus on:

• Interconnection Requirements: Each DER must meet utility and code standards. Electricians should stay familiar with local interconnection rules and permitting processes.
• System Design and Sizing: Understanding load management, storage capacity, and inverter selection ensures each system runs efficiently and safely.
• Energy Storage Integration: Batteries are becoming a standard part of DER systems. Electricians need to know how to install, configure, and manage these systems for peak performance.
• Networking and Communication Protocols: Modern DERs rely on digital communication for monitoring and control. Basic knowledge of networking, smart meters, and IoT connections is increasingly valuable.
• Safety and Commissioning Procedures: Proper grounding, overcurrent protection, and shutdown protocols are essential to protect workers and end users.

Staying informed about these areas helps electrical professionals ensure DER systems are installed safely, operate reliably, and meet current standards.

Join a Network of Electrical Professionals Shaping the Industry

The NECA–IBEW Local 48 partnership has been driving the electrical industry forward across Oregon and Southwest Washington for over a century.

Visit our membership pages for the Oregon-Columbia Chapter of NECA or IBEW Local 48 to learn more.

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The electrical industry is heading into 2026 with mixed signals. 

Economic uncertainty, stalled projects, and challenges and unpredictability in the labor market are creating concerns within the community. At the same time, the push toward electrification needs the electrical workforce to help with infrastructure to meet rising energy demand. 

The State of Commercial & Residential Construction

Let’s start with the challenging part: some commercial and residential projects are expected to face another tight year. The good news is that recent projections show the national commercial construction market will grow 4.2% in 2026. Institutional facilities, retail spaces, and hospitality sectors are expected to help drive the increase.

However, economic uncertainty and regulatory shifts create variables that require adaptation. What’s driving the uncertainty?

• Paused or delayed federal projects tied to new policies and funding reviews.
• Power grid upgrade delays which are bottlenecking data center projects.
• Fluctuating material costs, especially in steel and aluminum.
• Unpredictable interest rates making developers hesitant to start new builds.

Economic unease is already affecting new home construction. 2025 stats show an 8.5% drop in August. However, even in a slowing market, projects are still ongoing; they might have shifted to meet the current climate.

What’s Ahead for Electrical Projects in 2026

Even with some projects slowing down, 2026 brings several emerging areas worth watching. The continued push for electrification, renewable energy installations, energy storage systems, and smart home technologies is creating demand for skilled electrical work. Infrastructure upgrades, commercial retrofits, and expanding electric vehicle charging networks also present exciting opportunities.

1) Facility Upgrades & Retrofits

Aging infrastructure across public and private sectors is overdue for modernization. For electricians, this could mean opportunities in:

• Public transit upgrades, including lock-out/tag-out procedures and examining panel layouts.
• Electrical infrastructure updates in commercial real estate projects.

• Modernization efforts that require panel upgrades, rewiring, lighting conversions, and automation systems.

2) “Greening” & Energy Transition Projects 

Demand for green technology and energy-efficient infrastructure is growing. Sustainable and energy-generating buildings help boost property values and promise reduced residential energy costs. 

Emerging trends in the electrical industry include:

• Thermal energy networks (TENs): tapping into underground heat to power buildings.
• Fault-managed power (FMP): self-monitoring setups that improve safety and efficiency.
• EV Infrastructure: continued installation of commercial and residential charging stations.
• Building electrification retrofits: converting gas-based systems to electric.

3) Data Centers & High-Energy Facilities

The reality nationally is that data center construction is down 17%. Power grid limitations have slowed progress in some areas, which is driving up vacancy rates and halting new construction. However, the Pacific Northwest continues to be a hub for data center development and is holding firm. Hillsboro has the lowest data center vacancy rate, at only 0.2%, compared to the national 1.6%.

Even though data center projects are progressing more slowly than expected, when they do ramp up, they’ll need skilled electricians to deliver:

• High-voltage expertise
• Redundant power systems guidance
• Ongoing maintenance 

Keep the Electrification of Everything in Mind

The electrification of everything is continuing to shape the industry, and it could create new opportunities for electricians. Homes and buildings are increasingly switching to electric heating and cooling, and electric vehicle charging networks are growing. Renewable energy investments and a growing tech sector are also changing the types of projects available.

Stay Connected with NECA-IBEW Local 48

Innovation moves fast, but you don’t have to figure it out on your own. Through the NECA–IBEW Local 48 partnership, you can access training, resources, and a network of fellow electricians who understand the challenges you face. It’s a community where you can learn, share, and stay connected as the industry evolves.

Visit the Oregon-Columbia Chapter of NECA or IBEW Local 48 to learn more about membership and resources.

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