Seven utility representatives that were in the process of building large nuclear plants formed the EUCG in 1973. As cost and budget employees of major utilities, they were interested in discovering information and benchmarks and how they compared to others in the nuclear construction business. Lessons learned that would help them to increase performance and save costs were a major focus in these early meetings.

International utility members from around the world now make up EUCG, Inc., (formerly known as the Electric Utility Cost Group). EUCG members are no longer interested in only cost information, but in increasing their performance and competitiveness through development and use of databases of performance information, networking, benchmarking to discover best in operations class, business planning best practice discover, reliability of systems, etc. This is done through a conference and workshop program held twice a year, and through membership to various databases that offer information from hydroelectric, fossil, nuclear, transmission/distribution and information technology areas of energy operations. Other forums during workshops offer presentations on CC/CT fossil operations/performance data (a result of an alliance between the CCUG and EUCG).

The group meets in the spring and fall of each year and is a mix of personnel in both corporate and plant environments. Member titles range from senior engineers to directors and vice presidents of finance, business planning and all other positions found in the typical energy company structure.

Approximately 130 of the most major international utility companies send two to ten representatives to each of the EUCG workshops. Several formats for discussion and study (panel discussions, workshops, ‘hands on’ data applications) are used in these workshops. Agenda topics are identified by members, and presented by members and experts in other industries that have valued information to offer on the general topics of cost planning/budgeting, performance efficiency and many other business aspects.

Agenda planners pay close attention to the current industry environment and consistently offer information that will benefit the energy representative in understanding their role in the industry, and educate them on issues that will strengthen their positions and knowledge levels. Current major changes in the industry structure are driving agenda topics as they present daily challenges to our membership. The EUCG is committed to sponsoring and offering services and products that will increase efficiency and provide for information to take us successfully into the next generation of a regulated/deregulated market.