Cloud Migration Strategies for Utility Companies: Addressing Unique Infrastructure and Regulatory Challenges

Abstract

Cloud migration offers utility companies significant opportunities to enhance operational efficiency, improve customer experiences, and reduce costs, but presents unique challenges due to critical infrastructure status and strict regulatory environments. This article explores specialized cloud migration strategies for utility companies, focusing on maintaining operational continuity while ensuring compliance. The utility sector faces distinctive considerations including mission-critical systems with near-zero tolerance for downtime, operational technology integration with information technology systems, legacy infrastructure dating back decades, complex regulatory requirements varying by region, heightened cybersecurity concerns, and data sovereignty requirements. Through hybrid cloud architectures, phased migration with workload prioritization, and compliance-driven design, utilities can successfully navigate these challenges while realizing substantial benefits in cost reduction, system resilience, and customer satisfaction.