CenterPoint Energy building the workforce of the future to implement $53 billion in long-term investments to support Houston's growth and critical resiliency work

Rhea-AI Summary

CenterPoint Energy (NYSE:CNP) has announced ambitious workforce expansion plans to support its $53 billion 10-year capital investment strategy. The company aims to hire 200 additional lineworkers by end-2025 and nearly 800 by 2030 to strengthen Houston's electric grid infrastructure.

To achieve these hiring goals, CenterPoint is launching the Energy Expressway™ program, a free multi-week training initiative starting October 2025 with 35 participants. The program will help meet Greater Houston's projected 50% increase in energy demand by 2031, requiring over 11,000 electric workers in the next five years. The company's 2026-2028 Systemwide Resiliency Plan aims to reduce customer outages by nearly 1 billion minutes through 2029.

Positive

• Massive $53 billion capital investment plan over 10 years to strengthen infrastructure
• Creation of approximately 800 new jobs by 2030
• Free workforce development program (Energy Expressway™) to train new workers
• Strategic initiative to address projected 50% increase in Houston's energy demand by 2031
• Plan to reduce customer outages by nearly 1 billion minutes through 2029

Negative

• Significant workforce expansion needs with 11,000 workers required in next 5 years
• Initial training program limited to only 35 participants in first class
• Substantial capital expenditure requirements could impact financial metrics

Insights

Utility Infrastructure Specialist

CenterPoint's $53B investment plan and workforce expansion signal strong long-term infrastructure growth strategy amid rising Houston energy demand.

CenterPoint Energy's announcement represents a significant long-term infrastructure investment initiative with $53 billion allocated over the next decade. This capital expenditure plan is strategically timed to address Houston's projected energy demand growth of nearly 50% by 2031 – a remarkable increase that necessitates substantial grid reinforcement.

The workforce expansion initiative – hiring 200 lineworkers this year and 800 by 2030 – addresses a critical execution challenge in the utility sector: skilled labor shortages. The Energy Expressway™ training program creates a sustainable talent pipeline to implement their Systemwide Resiliency Plan, which aims to reduce customer outages by nearly 1 billion minutes through 2029.

This infrastructure investment aligns with three key utility sector value drivers: 1) regulatory-supported capital deployment that expands rate base, 2) grid hardening initiatives that improve reliability metrics and regulatory relationships, and 3) capacity expansion to serve growing demand.

The $53 billion investment represents a substantial commitment for a utility with 2.8 million customers. This suggests CenterPoint is positioning for significant regulated growth through infrastructure modernization. The focus on creating "the most resilient coastal grid" indicates the company is prioritizing climate adaptation – increasingly important for Gulf Coast utilities facing intensifying weather patterns that threaten grid stability.

The company announces accelerated hiring efforts and a new lineworker training program as part of plans to hire 200 new lineworkers in 2025, and nearly 800 by 2030

HOUSTON, July 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of a continued commitment to building the most resilient coastal grid in the country, CenterPoint Energy is announcing a series of efforts to achieve its goal of hiring 200 additional lineworkers by the end of this year, and nearly 800 by 2030. CenterPoint's accelerated hiring efforts will support historic energy investments over the next 10 years and help the Greater Houston area meet the rapidly growing demand for local electric workers. As part of these efforts, CenterPoint is hosting ongoing job fairs, collaborating with regional workforce development networks, including the Greater Houston Partnership, and launching a new Houston skill-based workforce development program, titled Energy Expressway™, to help build the next generation of electric workers. These combined workforce expansion efforts will support CenterPoint's critical resiliency and infrastructure work, including over $53 billion in local energy investments as part of the company's 10-year capital expenditure plan.

"All of us here at CenterPoint are focused on working to build a grid that will provide reliable and resilient service to our customers and communities here in the Greater Houston area for years to come. We are investing in resiliency and grid hardening projects that will support the unprecedented growth expected here over the next ten years. To deliver on these investments safely, quickly and efficiently, our workforce will need to grow at an accelerated pace. In addition to building the most resilient coastal grid in the country, we're also committing to building the workforce that will keep that grid strong, now and in the future," said Darin Carroll, CenterPoint's Senior Vice President of Electric Business.  

Supporting long-term resiliency and rising energy demand
CenterPoint's efforts to build the workforce of the future are vital to fulfilling its long-term capital investment plans that are anticipated to benefit the company's 2.8 million customers. Over the next five years, the local demand for electric workers is expected to be more than 11,000 workers who will help meet the rapidly growing energy demand in the Greater Houston area, which is projected to increase by nearly 50% by 2031. The next generation of electric workers will also support the implementation of CenterPoint's 2026-2028 Systemwide Resiliency Plan, which is designed to strengthen the electric system against extreme weather of the future and reduce outages for customers by nearly 1 billion minutes into 2029.

Energy Expressway™ program details
Energy Expressway™ is a free, multi-week program that provides real-world and online training as well as classroom education at CenterPoint's state-of-the-art Hiram O. Clarke Training Center. Designed to provide a fast-track to a lifelong career in the energy industry, participants will focus on developing not only the technical skills required to perform electric work safely and effectively, but also the critical skills of teamwork and customer service to ensure CenterPoint's customers remain at the center of everything they do. Beginning in October, the program's inaugural class of 35 applicants selected from the company's workforce development network will be considered for an entry-level position where they would support apprentice and journey lineworkers – the first step toward a career in the energy industry.

Soundbites on CenterPoint's workforce development efforts and b-roll footage from the company's training center be found here: CNP Digital Asset Mgmt

For more information on CenterPoint's efforts to build a stronger, more resilient grid for its customers, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/TakingAction.

About CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is a multi-state electric and natural gas delivery company serving approximately 7 million metered customers across Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas. The company is headquartered in Houston and is the only Texas-domiciled investor-owned utility. As of June 30, 2025, the company had approximately $44 billion in assets. With approximately 8,300 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been serving customers for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.

Forward-Looking Statement
This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions of management which are believed to be reasonable at the time made and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Any statements in this news release regarding future events, such as CenterPoint Energy's efforts relating to its workforce (including the amount of personnel to be hired, the timing thereof, training programs, and anticipated benefits), the timing, funding, and anticipated benefits of CenterPoint Energy's 10-year capital plan, CenterPoint Energy's resiliency and infrastructure work, including its Systemwide Resiliency Plan (including with respect to timing, filings related thereto, anticipated benefits, and related matters), electric demand growth in CenterPoint Energy's service territories (including related forecasts and anticipated benefits of such growth), and any other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement contained in this news release speaks only as of the date of this release. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the provided forward-looking information include risks and uncertainties relating to: (1) business strategies and strategic initiatives, acquisitions or dispositions of assets or businesses involving CenterPoint Energy or its industry; (2) CenterPoint Energy's ability to fund and invest planned capital, and the timely recovery of its investments; (3) financial market and general economic conditions; (4) the timing and impact of future regulatory, legislative and political actions or developments; and (5) other factors, risks and uncertainties discussed in CenterPoint Energy's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and CenterPoint's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2025 and June 30, 2025 and other reports CenterPoint Energy or its subsidiaries may file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For more information, contact:
Communications
Media.Relations@CenterPointEnergy.com

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SOURCE CenterPoint Energy

FAQ

How much is CenterPoint Energy (CNP) investing in Houston's grid infrastructure?

CenterPoint Energy is investing $53 billion over the next 10 years as part of their capital expenditure plan to strengthen Houston's grid infrastructure and improve resiliency.

How many new lineworkers is CenterPoint Energy (CNP) planning to hire?

CenterPoint Energy plans to hire 200 additional lineworkers by the end of 2025, and nearly 800 lineworkers by 2030.

What is CenterPoint Energy's Energy Expressway program?

Energy Expressway™ is a free multi-week training program launching in October 2025 with 35 participants, offering real-world training and classroom education at CenterPoint's Hiram O. Clarke Training Center to prepare workers for careers in the energy industry.

How much is energy demand expected to grow in Greater Houston?

Energy demand in the Greater Houston area is projected to increase by nearly 50% by 2031, requiring more than 11,000 electric workers over the next five years.

What are the goals of CenterPoint's Systemwide Resiliency Plan?

CenterPoint's 2026-2028 Systemwide Resiliency Plan aims to strengthen the electric system against extreme weather and reduce customer outages by nearly 1 billion minutes through 2029.