Supply chain disruptions are reshaping the energy industry and changing how owners plan, procure, permit, and deliver complex energy projects. Lead times for certain pieces of equipment, like transformers—essential components for AI data centers and the electrical infrastructure that powers them—are averaging backlogs of one to four years. At the same time, labor shortages and complex permitting requirements are adding pressure as energy projects become larger, more interconnected, and more complex to deliver.
Energy projects have never been completely linear, but owners typically had more flexibility with equipment selection and procurement strategies. As lead times increase, decisions that were typically made during detailed design are being pushed into the earlier stages of project development. Having these decisions move upstream, owners need a team capable of identifying potential constraints early and understanding how they may influence engineering, procurement, permitting, and construction activities down the road.
The merger of Pond and ENERCON gives clients access to an industry-leading team with deep experience in power generation, electric transmission and distribution, substations, natural gas infrastructure, asset integrity, and testing and inspection services. Together, we help owners manage risk and find innovative solutions to keep energy projects moving forward.
Creating Project Flexibility Through FEED
With power demand accelerating across industries, the ability to preserve optionality and make informed decisions early has become a key project advantage. This early phase is where Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) studies and other early-stage engineering can provide significant value.
FEED studies generally focus on defining project scope, budgets, and technical requirements. While those objectives remain important, today’s energy projects require broader focus. Owners are increasingly using early-stage engineering to evaluate procurement risks, engage vendors sooner, and explore opportunities to secure critical materials before they become hard to source.
In a small percentage of projects, lead times for critical equipment have become so long and unpredictable that owners are placing orders before FEED studies are fully complete. While this approach introduces additional risk and requires careful evaluation, it reflects the growing reality that equipment availability can become the primary factor determining whether a project moves forward on schedule.
For owners, early-stage engineering can help answer practical questions such as: Which equipment choices are driving the critical path? Which specifications need to be finalized first? Which permitting or constructability issues could limit procurement options later?
In some cases, teams are developing early release packages that allow procurement activities to begin before detailed design is complete. This gives owners the information they need to make decisions while multiple options remain available.
Once equipment availability starts dictating the schedule, recovering flexibility becomes more difficult.
Where the Engineer of Record Becomes a Strategic Advisor
Once flexibility is lost, project teams are often forced to manage constraints rather than shape outcomes. That shift has elevated the importance of the Engineer of Record (EOR) beyond its traditional role. The EOR was originally established to provide clear accountability for a project’s design. By assigning responsibility for signing and sealing the construction documents, the EOR became accountable for the technical integrity of the design.
That accountability still matters, but the modern EOR role has grown in parallel with the complexity of project delivery. While technical accountability remains at the core of the role, today’s EOR must account for a wide range of external factors that can materially influence project outcomes, often affecting cost, schedule, risk, and execution. Owners increasingly look to their EOR for guidance in navigating those interconnected challenges and understanding the tradeoffs behind key decisions.
This evolution has transformed the EOR from a technical authority into a strategic project advisor. While accountability for the design remains fundamental, owners look to their EOR to help evaluate risks, navigate uncertainty, and identify practical paths forward when project constraints arise.
Case Study: Creative Problem Solving Under Pressure
A client engaged ENERCON to design a behind-the-meter project around a preselected set of equipment they believed to be the optimal solution. As part of our Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) approach, ENERCON conducted an independent evaluation of alternative equipment suppliers, enabling the client to confidently assess the best economic and technical path forward.
This due diligence revealed that another reciprocating engine supplier not only provided a better technical fit but also delivered meaningful cost savings in both constructability and long-term operations.
Impressed by the value uncovered during the FEED phase, the client gained even greater confidence in ENERCON’s approach during early engineering. At that stage, we identified an opportunity to change the electrical bus system design and utilize an alternative supplier—reducing both cost and delivery time compared to the original specification.
This project underscores a critical lesson: every component should be thoughtfully evaluated during the FEED phase. Investing in thorough upfront analysis can yield substantial savings in both schedule and overall project cost, while positioning the project for greater success during execution.
Looking Ahead
Experienced teams develop an instinct for the interconnected nature of supply chain disruptions. They recognize patterns and they understand where pressure is likely to emerge next.
The merger of Pond and ENERCON has created a broader energy services platform, bringing together experts from across the energy sector, including power generation, electric transmission and distribution, substations, natural gas infrastructure, asset integrity, testing and inspection, and related services. That breadth of expertise allows teams to approach challenges from multiple perspectives and draw on decades of lessons learned from a wide range of projects.
The energy projects that maintain momentum will not be without challenges, but they will be supported by teams that can navigate them. Learn more about how Pond and ENERCON help clients plan earlier, evaluate critical project decisions faster, and develop practical strategies designed to keep projects moving forward.
