# JE Dunn Adds Power Generation Unit as Data Centers Grow

By MarketScale Newsroom · Published 2026-09-09 · Updated 2026-09-10 · Engineering & Construction on MarketScale
Canonical: https://www.marketscale.com/industries/engineering-and-construction/je-dunns-new-power-unit-shows-data-center-jobs-are-starting-with-power-work

> JE Dunn Construction formed a power generation unit and named a leader, amid a wider industry shift toward power-focused construction work.

## Key points

- JE Dunn named Ryan Wilson, a senior project manager with power and industrial experience, as VP and market lead for its new power generation unit.
- Planned U.S. data center projects increased 203% in five months (March to August 2026), from 666 to 2,019, with Virginia leading at 458 planned projects.
- Power work generates roughly 35% to 40% of Canadian firm WSP Global's U.S. revenue, Clayco launched a power and energy unit in March 2026, and Kiewit and Bechtel were selected for a $33 billion Ohio power project.

JE Dunn Construction, based in Kansas City, Missouri, announced on Aug. 26, 2026 that it is expanding its advanced technology group with a new power generation unit, according to Construction Dive. The company named Ryan Wilson, a project engineer who joined the firm in 2018 and later worked as a senior project manager focused on power, industrial and manufacturing work, as vice president and market lead for the new division.

## What the new unit will do

In the role, Wilson will work with clients, industry partners and internal teams to develop delivery strategies and identify market opportunities for power generation projects, per the announcement reported by Construction Dive. JE Dunn cited artificial intelligence infrastructure growth, manufacturing onshoring and aging power infrastructure as drivers behind increased demand for this type of work. The company has completed more than 220 power projects across generation types, according to the announcement.

## Part of a broader industry pattern

JE Dunn is not alone in creating a dedicated power practice. Construction Dive reported that St. Louis-based Clayco launched its own power and energy business unit in March 2026. Separately, Construction Dive reported that WSP Global said during its August 2026 second-quarter earnings call that power work generates roughly 35% to 40% of the Canadian firm's U.S. revenue. Kiewit and Bechtel were selected for a $33 billion power project in Ohio, Construction Dive reported.

The broader data center construction market has also grown quickly. Construction Dive's analysis of Cleanview data found that planned U.S. data center projects rose from 666 in March 2026 to 2,019 by Aug. 24, 2026, a 203% increase, while operating projects grew from 577 to 1,290, up 124%, over the same period. Virginia led all states with 458 planned projects as of Aug. 24, according to the same analysis, followed by Texas and Georgia. Contractors told Construction Dive that securing reliable power access and navigating state permitting rules have become central factors in site selection for these projects.

## Separate development activity

In related retail construction news, Walmart plans to build a 1.5-million-square-foot automated fulfillment center in Carnesville, Georgia, a $1.3 billion project expected to create 1,000 jobs, according to an Aug. 27, 2026 release from the Georgia Department of Economic Development cited by Construction Dive. Construction on that project is slated to begin in late 2026.

Separately, Construction Executive reported on Sept. 9, 2026 that the Simplar Foundation released a national dataset on multiskilled construction labor, examining crew productivity and staffing outcomes across dozens of job sites. That research is not directly tied to JE Dunn's new unit but reflects continuing attention on labor strategies amid demand for specialized construction work, including power projects.

## Sources

- [Analyzing the US data center construction boom](https://www.constructiondive.com/news/analyzing-us-data-center-construction-boom-developers-pipeline-state/829330/) (Construction Dive)
- [JE Dunn launches power generation unit, names leader](https://www.constructiondive.com/news/je-dunn-power-generation-unit-leader/829212/) (Construction Dive)
- [Walmart to build $1.3B fulfillment center in Georgia](https://www.constructiondive.com/news/walmart-build-fulfillment-center-georgia-megaproject-construction/829255/) (Construction Dive)
- [ENR Top 400 Review +: Data Center Boom Raises Stakes](https://www.enr.com/articles/63598-enr-top-400-review-data-center-boom-raises-stakes) (Engineering News-Record)
- [First-ever national field data study on multiskilled construction shows wins for workers, taxpayers, industry](https://constructionexec.com/article/first-ever-national-field-data-study-on-multiskilled-construction-shows-wins-for-workers-taxpayers-industry/) (Construction Executive)

Tags: JE Dunn, power generation, data centers, construction, Construction Dive

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