The Daily Dig
Clayco has built a dedicated Power and Energy business unit to pursue utility scale solar and distributed commercial battery energy storage work across the U.S. The Chicago based design-build firm says the new group extends its integrated delivery model into energy infrastructure, covering the full project lifecycle from planning and engineering through procurement, construction, installation, and commissioning.
U.S. electricity demand is projected to climb 15% to 20% by 2030, fueled by data center expansion, domestic manufacturing growth, transportation electrification, and residential load increases. Clayco noted the division is already off the ground, with a solar and battery storage project in Illinois currently under contract and in design, with construction mobilization targeted for 2026.
Snapshot:
Company / Platform: Clayco - Power and Energy business unit
Leadership: Ryan Johnson, Vice President
Primary focus: Utility-scale solar projects and distributed commercial battery energy storage systems (BESS)
Target customers: Utilities, independent power producers, financial sponsors, and customers delivering power to data centers and advanced manufacturing facilities
Delivery model: Integrated design, engineering, procurement, and construction
Services: Planning, engineering, design, procurement, construction, installation, and commissioning
Technology approach: Advanced modeling, prefabrication, and construction execution
Initial project: Solar and battery storage project under contract
Project location: Illinois
Project status: Design phase
Construction mobilization: Expected in 2026
Market context: U.S. electricity demand projected to grow 15-20% by 2030
Industry data point: 85% of new U.S. electric generating capacity added in 2025 came from utility-scale solar and battery storage
Business outlook: Expected to generate $300M in revenue by 2027
Workforce impact: Nearly 1,000 craft professionals anticipated by 2027
TheJobWalk Thoughts
When a major design-build firm stands up a power and energy division with $300M revenue targets and a 1,000 person craft workforce projection, that is a procurement signal. Civil site work, foundations, electrical infrastructure, switchgear, and battery enclosure installation all need to go to someone. Subcontractors and suppliers who have worked with Clayco should be having those conversations now, not after the RFP drops. Balance-of-plant scopes on these projects carry aggressive schedules and long material lead times. Early supplier engagement is not optional.
