CenterPoint Energy Investing Billions, Adding 800 New Jobs By 2030

CenterPoint Energy plans to add 200 lineworkers by 2025 and nearly 800 by 2030 to support a $53 billion 10-year capital plan. The company is hosting job fairs, partnering with groups like the Greater Houston Partnership, and launching a new training program called Energy Expressway. CenterPoint is also pressing ahead with grid modernization, aiming to reduce power outages by nearly one billion minutes through 2029.

CenterPoint Energy (NYSE:CNP) has unveiled an ambitious plan to bolster its workforce and modernize its grid infrastructure. The Houston-based utility aims to add 200 lineworkers by the end of 2025 and nearly 800 by 2030 as part of a $53 billion 10-year capital plan [1]. This initiative is designed to meet the rapidly growing demand for local electric workers and support the company's critical resiliency and infrastructure work.

To achieve this, CenterPoint is hosting ongoing job fairs and collaborating with regional workforce development networks. Additionally, the company has launched a new training program called Energy Expressway, which will offer hands-on and online training at the company's Hiram O. Clarke Training Center [2]. The inaugural class of 35 participants will receive instruction in both technical skills and customer service, and may be placed in entry-level utility roles.

Grid modernization is another key focus for CenterPoint. Starting in 2026, the company's Systemwide Resiliency Plan aims to reduce power outages by nearly one billion minutes through 2029 [3]. This initiative includes deploying $21 billion in Texas alone by 2030, with investments in electric transmission and distribution upgrades, resiliency projects, and gas infrastructure modernization.

CenterPoint's efforts are not without challenges. The company reported second-quarter 2025 earnings of 30 cents per share on a GAAP basis and 29 cents per share on a non-GAAP basis, missing Wall Street estimates of 37 cents [2]. However, the company reaffirmed its full-year 2025 non-GAAP earnings guidance of $1.74 to $1.76 per share and maintained its long-term target of 6% to 8% annual earnings growth through 2030.

Despite the earnings shortfall, investors should be encouraged by CenterPoint's strategic response to climate risk, demographic trends, and energy transition pressures. The company's ability to balance infrastructure investment with regulatory agility and workforce innovation creates a durable competitive moat. For investors with a five- to 10-year horizon, CenterPoint Energy is a compelling choice for regulated utility exposure with growth potential.

References:
[1] https://seekingalpha.com/news/4472026-centerpoint-energy-to-hire-200-new-lineworkers-in-2025-and-nearly-800-by-2030
[2] https://www.inkl.com/news/centerpoint-energy-investing-billions-adding-800-new-jobs-by-2030
[3] https://www.ainvest.com/news/centerpoint-energy-53-billion-grid-investment-workforce-expansion-strategic-path-resilience-growth-2507/