Annual Meeting keynote speaker Jim Robb on the future of the electric grid

Throughout his career, Basin Electric keynote speaker Jim Robb has witnessed firsthand the transformation of North America's electric grid. Ahead of his Annual Meeting presentation, he shares insights on the changes that have shaped the sector, challenges that lie ahead, and the people and innovations that continue to inspire confidence in the grid's future.

Your career has spanned nearly four decades. What has kept the work interesting and rewarding over the years?  I have come to appreciate the absolutely essential role electricity plays as the foundation of modern society, and it’s gratifying to play a role in securing that for today and for the next generation.

You've had a front-row seat to tremendous change in the energy sector. What developments have surprised you most? I have come to appreciate that what is most unexpected will likely be the next shoe to drop. Seriously though, when I learned the sector in the 1980s, we always talked about “the possibility” of a distributed utility (but dismissed it as something 30 years into the future). Well, here we are 30 years later, and we are seeing great strides in the development of customer-owned generation. In general, I am amazed that so many things have occurred that couldn’t have been imagined 35 years ago. For example, gas was more or less a “hobby” in those days, and solar and wind were experimental. And no one thought batteries would be feasible. Now we are in a sector dominated by natural gas, wind, solar and batteries.

What gives you confidence about the future of the North American electric grid? The power sector has some of the most dedicated people around working it. I have been amazed at the innovation I have seen from the sector, particularly the ISO/RTOs who have had to learn how to operate a system with much less certainty than most of us grew up with.

Without giving too much away, what themes can attendees expect to hear in your keynote? This isn’t your grandfather’s electric grid anymore! And we have a series of challenges we need to address to create the grid we will leave our grandchildren.

Outside of work, what activities help you recharge and maintain balance? I have a dog that demands every bit of attention he can muster, and he gives me lots of energy.

After a career dedicated to the energy sector, what continues to motivate and inspire you today? I continue to be motivated to make the lives of others better through my work in the sector and as a leader of NERC (North American Electric Reliability Corporation). We can always improve but I really take satisfaction in the employee engagement scores we receive in our annual surveys and the “evidence all around” of how important our work is.

Read more about Jim Robb and what else to expect at Basin Electric’s 2026 Annual Meeting.