Coming back from Powercon this year, I’ve found myself reflecting quite a bit on the conversations, the themes, and the direction our industry is heading.

Before diving into that, it’s worth recognizing just how well this year’s event came together. Powercon continues to grow in both scale and impact, and that doesn’t happen without a lot of work behind the scenes. The advisory board, marketing team, volunteers, and sponsors should be proud of what they put together. The turnout was strong across the board—brokers, insurers, independent adjusters, and service providers from both domestic and international markets. There was a real sense of engagement throughout the event, and the quality of both the sessions and the networking made it time well spent. And yes, it would be a miss not to mention—the snacks and coffee setup were elite.

Now, getting into the sessions I attended:

1) The New Normal? – Navigating Complex Renewable Energy Claims in an Era of Increasing Natural Hazards

This session was a panel led by Ashley Andrews from Howden. It was an ideal way to kick off the day and get everyone thinking in the right mindset for Power and Energy claims. What stood out most was how clearly the panel framed the idea that what we used to consider “edge case” losses are quickly becoming more common. Increasing natural hazard frequency, paired with more complex renewable infrastructure, is creating a new layer of uncertainty. It really drove home the need for forward-thinking approaches—both in underwriting and in claims handling—and reinforced how critical it is to understand the technologies we’re insuring.

2) The Keynote – Underwriters of the United States: How Insurance Shaped the American Founding by Dr. Hannah Farber

This was a really engaging history lesson that added a different dimension to the conference. Dr. Hannah Farber broke down the early foundations of insurance, particularly maritime, and highlighted how closely banks and insurers operated together. What made this session stand out was how relevant it still feels—risk sharing, capital flow, and financial innovation have always been interconnected. It was a reminder that while the risks we deal with evolve, many of the underlying principles of insurance remain consistent.

3) Saltwater Brine Extraction

This was another panel session—and by this point, I think it’s fair to say a bit of panel fatigue had set in—but the topic itself was interesting enough to keep attention. The focus on lithium extraction from saltwater brine tied directly into the broader energy transition conversation. One of the more interesting takeaways was the discussion around potential crossover with data centers, specifically the idea of repurposing wastewater for cooling purposes. It’s a good example of how different sectors within power and energy are becoming more interconnected.

4) The Era of Big Blades

As expected, this was a panel discussion focused on large wind turbine blades—their construction, transportation, installation, and long-term performance. Speaking with others between sessions, this one seemed to generate mixed reactions. That said, it provided valuable insight into just how complex these components are. The logistics alone introduce significant risk, and when you layer in manufacturing challenges and environmental stressors, it becomes clear how many potential failure points exist. It’s a space where small issues can quickly scale into large losses.

Then we had a moment of SELECT YOUR QUEST (remember those books?!?), which was a fun way to break up the day and let people tailor their experience.

5) Navigating Risk and Coverages in the Mining Sector: Rare Earths, Coal and More

This session was a strong one. Mining isn’t always top-of-mind in day-to-day discussions, but it plays such a critical role in the broader energy ecosystem. Learning about the different mining methods, operational challenges, and associated risks helped round out the picture. The panel did a great job walking through real-world examples, which made the material much more practical and easier to connect back to claims scenarios.

6) Resilience of Reliance? Data Centers, Microgrids, and the Strain on the Electrical Grid

This was one of my favorite sessions. Data centers take up a large portion of my time, and I genuinely believe they represent a significant part of the future of Power and Energy claims. Hearing Lourdes Reyes (Allianz) speak about firsthand challenges—from grid dependency to electrical component lead times — was incredibly valuable. It reinforced the idea that as demand continues to grow, so will the complexity of the risks. This is an area where understanding both the technical and operational sides will be critical for anyone working in the space.

7) The last session was “REFINING — IT’S SIMPLE, ISN’T IT?”

I want to emphasize that this was the final session of the day—a tough slot for any panel. For those working in oil and gas, though, this was an important topic. Despite the timing, Jean Martin from Insite did a great job keeping the audience engaged and delivering useful insights. The discussion around business interruption (BI) in refining operations was particularly relevant, especially considering how quickly disruptions in this sector can ripple through supply chains.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Powercon continues to be a valuable event for anyone in the Power and Energy space. It’s not just about the sessions—it’s about the conversations, the perspective shifts, and the opportunity to stay ahead of where the industry is going.

If you work in power and energy claims, Powercon 2027 should absolutely be on your list. And for those who attend OEC in London, this event serves as a great complement—a way to continue building knowledge, earn CE credits, and stay connected with others navigating the same challenges.