No. 1 - 2009 (Download)
Transcription
No. 1 - 2009 (Download)
New mag azin e! 36 lost 19 000 kilograms Great result from joint diet at the main office Shaking hands across borders This is the “new” Statkraft. We have spoken to new colleagues in Germany, Sweden and Wales page s of p o readi wer ful ng Hunter in Southeast Europe Tima Iyer is Statkraft’s frontwoman in a new market Blown to success Dalen set a wind power record. Anyone better? Norway’s most powerful Operations technician Terje Brandt is working in some of Norway’s most powerful natural scenery – Svartisen I A magazine for people in Statkraft No. 1 2009 Editorial NO 1. 2009 Contents See more pi 04-0530 per cent more power ctur Svar es tisen page ! s from New Leirfossene power plant gets more power from every drop – to everyone’s benefit. 10-1 5 06-07Lost 19 000 kilos The main office has gone on a diet under the auspices of Kontorservice – with great results. 08-09Fought his way back Mountaineer Jamie Andrew has no arms or legs, but was an inspiration to all at the Nobel seminar. 10-15 Norway’s most powerful Terje Brandt and the rest of the crew in Glomfjord work in what might be Norway’s most beautiful surroundings. Enjoy the pictures! 16-17 Current affairs in Statkraft Read more about the financial crisis, a powerful birthday boy and the CO2 portal which generates clean power in Honduras. 18-23 Shaking hands across borders People & Power has made a journalistic tour following the E.ON agreement. 24-25 Technology & environment The eagle gets help against windmills, power station becomes hatching station and much more. 26-27 We eat lunch with… … the employees at Dalen. Can they comply with the manual wind power standard? 28-29 “The objective is zero injuries” Statkraft’s safety philosophy has led to a c ontinued decrease in the number of injuries. Welcome to “new Statkraft” lore. We start the year with so much renewal and growth that we might as well call ourselves “new Statkraft”. During the last year, Statkraft has acquired about 500 new employees and increased the production capacity by more than 20 per cent. About 220 new employees in the group during the last year, and just as many again from 1 January in Germany, the UK and Sweden, as well as 60 new employees in Trondheim Energi Kraft, is a growth which reinvigorates and strengthens us significantly. You are all very welcome – we have great expectations for our future accomplishments. Through the E.ON agreement, we have taken over 61 power and district heating plants, totaling 2500 megawatts, in Sweden, Germany and the UK. This means that one fourth of our production capacity is now outside of Norway, and we have become Europe’s largest producer of renewable energy. This is a position which provides major opportunities for further expansion in more countries – 2 statkraft Tima Iyer (48) is hunting in new markets – with a working day which almost never ends. 34-35 New energy in Statkraft with the emphasis on environmentally friendly solutions. Do you know any of the new faces? We have the competence and weight needed to make broad investments in clean energy, broad as regards both forms of energy and markets. Our new strategy sets high goals for our future contribution: It paves the way for significant investments – in hydropower, wind power, gas power and other renewable forms of energy. We will invest in Norway, Europe and the rest of the world. Editor-in-chief: Ragnvald Nærø Editor: Hanne Aaberg Part of the renewal and the adaptation of the role as “new Statkraft” is our brand new in-house magazine People & Power. The magazine will be published four times each year in English, German, Swedish and Norwegian. Our editorial staff aims to present a crosssection of our people and activities, both present and future. Have a good read – and a happy new year! Bård Mikkelsen CEO [email protected] On the editorial staff: Birger Baug, Irene MacCallum, Stein Morch, Lars Magnus Günther, Merete Knain, Anne Joeken, Ingunn Solli, Linn Bakke, Anne Lise Aakervik, Cato Gjertsen. Design and production: Dinamo Red. Photo Dag Spant The year 2009 has already become a key part of Statkraft 30-33 Hunter in Southeast Europe Cover photo: Dag Spant Print: RK Grafisk AS Copies printed: 3500 Feel free to contribute to: [email protected] people & power 3 Current Leirfossene power plant T More power in each drop he old power plants Øvre Leirfoss and Nedre Leirfoss were built in 1901 and 1910, respectively, and have produced electricity for generations of Trondheimers. However, as the years progressed, the power plants became less and less reliable and the risk of breakdown increased. “We had to do something,” states managing director of Trondheim Energi Kraft, Leif Nordseth. “We could have chosen to overhaul the old machines and buildings completely, but we preferred to build a modern facility under the ground, as is the common method for new power plants in Norway.” technology and solutions yielding more renewable energy from existing power plants and waterways,” says Nordseth. He points out that the increase of the energy efficiency of the plants at Leirfossene has been achieved without new, major interventions in the landscape. “We are very proud of and happy with this project. It is a challenge to build in the bedrock below a residential area, but the plant has been completed on time and budget. It will contribute to increased profitability when completed,” says Nordseth. More power, less water lost. The result Trondheim Energi Kraft has no further construction plans in the near future, but is considering upgrading and expanding other power plants in their waterways. The construction of small power plants is being considered continuously. “In 2008, we have installed a small power plant in a small drainage tunnel at the Sylsjø lake in Sweden, where we have drained water for 57 years. By installing a power plant there, we can produce electricity while draining off water. This utilizes the system better than before,” says Nordseth. He emphasizes that projects which were not profitable earlier, are now profitable. “Many replace old power stations with new, and find better ways of exploiting existing systems. On a national level, this will improve the energy balance, while maintaining the production of clean power, and what could be better?” asks Nordseth. Extre m effici ely ent Increasing efficiency is profitable. is noticeable. The new units have resulted in an increased effect, and they can also handle more water then the two old plants. “Previously, we had to divert flood water from the Selbusjøen lake past the two power plants. We can now send more of the flood water through the Leirfossene waterfalls. This gives us the ability to produce more power and lose less water than before,” explains power plant manager Per Morten Aunemo, responsible for the operation of Leirfossene power plant and other facilities. According to Aunemo, the annual production is calculated to increase by about 50 GWh, from 143 to about 193 GWh. The new Leirfossene power plant in Sjetnemarka in Trondheim replaces two old power plants. The plant will yield 30 per cent more power with the same amount of water. Text Yvonne Dybwad photo Mikal Sveen FActs Good energy economy sense. Managing director Leif Nordseth is as happy as can be: “This is a good example of modern The power plant lies underground west of Nidelva, with the intake in the existing basis at the Øvre Leirfoss waterfall. The water is led in a shaft and tunnel down to the power station and on through a 1.5 km long discharge tunnel. Two small units will be installed in the old power plants to exploit the stipulated mini mum waterflow of 10 cubic metres per second in the river distance between the aggregates. The construction of the power plant started in the summer of 2006, and has cost slightly less than NOK 400 million. Following an intense construction period, new Leirfossene has become a top modern power plant. The new power plant will produce 193 GWh annually, which covers the electricity consumption of about 10 000 households. 4 statkraft Power station manager Per Morten Aunemo The completion was celebrated in a traditional manner. Beautiful power plant in Ullensvang 3500 students enlightened in Trondheim Småkraft’s latest addition – Ytre Alsåker power plant in Ullensvang municipality in Hordaland – came online in late September. “This is a great plant and it has been met with a lot of positive attention. Both locals and visitors consider the power plant to be positive for the environment. The fact that it has become a beautiful plant, well adapted and with minimal interventions in nature, is greatly appreciated,” says Per Mælen, one of four landowners at Alsåker power plant. Following a construction period, the plant was ready to come online on Monday 29 September. Småkraft’s own architect, Paal Kahrs, has placed the power station in a spectacular location in the middle of the Alsåker waterfall. The construction has taken place with great care and minimal intervention in the natural surroundings. The power plant has a capacity of 20 GWh in a normal year, and utilises a height difference of 216 metres. For the sixth year running, the Contractor department in Trondheim Energi Nett participated at Fagopplæringsdagene (vocational training days) held by the vocational training offices in Sør-Trøndelag County. Almost 3500 14 to 15-year-old students from all over the county visited the event. Trainees Anders Østby, Fredrik Loeng, Ali J. Bakhshi and Thomas Hansen represented Trondheim Energi Nett on the stand. They spoke to students about the realities of the profession and praised Trondheim Energi as an employer. In addition, they brought with them a five-metre climbing pole, where all the 15-year-olds could have a go. An important choice is facing many of the students on 1 March, which is the application deadline for upper secondary schools. “We hope that these days can remove some doubts from the minds of applicants, enabling them to make the right choice,” says Arve Haugan, project manager for Fagopplæringsdagene. Happy environmentalists Friends of the Earth Norway in Sør-Trøndelag County believes that the Leirfoss development sets a great example. “We are very positive to the Leirfoss development. Trondheim Energi Kraft has managed to produce more power without harming nature, while exploiting the existing power plant in a very good way,” says chair of the board in Friends of the Earth Norway in Sør-Trøndelag County, Steinar Nygaard. He believes the develop ment is a positive measure, and that more power companies should follow Trondheim Energi Kraft’s example. “Friends of the Earth Norway believe that there lies a great potential in making existing power plants more efficient,” says Nygaard. The salmon and sea trout should also benefit from the development. A prestudy from NTNU Vitenskapsmuseet concludes that the development of Leirfossene will not have any significant consequences for the salmon and sea trout in the Nidelva river. The exception is some minor problems just below and above the power plant. “Trondheim Energi Kraft is working to improve conditions and reduce any harmful effects on both sites,” says fish biologist and associate professor Jan Ivar Koksvik at NTNU Vitenskapsmuseet. 70-80 Waste energy contributes 70-80 per cent of the district heating produced in Trondheim. people & power 5 current Food foc on th us e envir onme nt As a result of the environmental effort from Kontorservice, Statkraft’s head office has Scandinavia’s first canteen awarded the Svane eco-label! Dieting on the menu I n the summer of 2007, Kontor service prepared its own ambitious environmental plan, which aims to make Statkraft more eco-friendly and its employees more aware of green issues. The work towards achieving the Svane eco-label became a useful tool in this, and the reduced waste generation was one of many positive measures. Kontorservice weighed all waste going out, divided it by the number of employees and were shocked at what they found: One kilogram of waste per employee. Per day! “That was when we decided to launch this year’s diet. The canteen seemed like a natural place to start,” says section manager Annette Molden. Last year, every employee at the main office produced one kilogram of waste every day. By removing the disposable pack aging in the canteen, Kontorservice has managed to halve the amount of waste per employee. Really a successful diet! Text and photos Yvonne Dybwad Nineteen tonnes of waste from single-use products. The canteen removed all single-use products and packaging, reducing the amount of waste by 43 per cent. Neither Annette Molden nor the employees had dared believe that the results would be so good. “We are in reality speaking about 19 tonnes of disposable packaging per year. We have a hard time believing it ourselves,” smiles Molden. Greater ambitions. The Svane label awarded to the canteen has also generated other positive measures. The brand requires use of local food, and that the main ingredients served are grown using sustainable methods. “Our dream is to help make green thinking part of the mentality for both the office operations and everyone in the group,” says Annette Molden enthusiastically. Planning more Kontorservice is not resting on its laurels. Here is a list of measures which have either been implemented or are underway: Measure: Reduce waste and garbage at the main office, through the introduction of copying on both sides of each sheet and other measures. Status: Implemented Result: Copying on both sides of the sheet will reduce waste generation by at least 5 tonnes in 2008. New measurements will be taken when all print-outs are linked directly to the use of the access card. Measure: Make video conferences easily available to reduce travel. Status: Underway. Result: Just started. Measure: Introduce eco-friendly office supplies, detergents and equipment. Status: Implemented. Result: In line with the environmental plan. Measure: Reduce the number of machines, i.e. copiers and printers. Status: Implemented. Result: In line with the environmental plan. Measure: Provide organically grown fruit at the main office. Status: Implemented. Result: 200 kg of organically grown fruit is delivered to Statkraft Lilleaker every week. Measure: Svane award for Stat kraft’s printing centre at Lilleaker. Status: Underway. Result: Being processed. Measure: Introduce waste sorting stations on every floor to improve waste handling at the main office. Status: Underway. Result: Will be introduced in 2009, in line with the environmental plan. Measure: Set environmental requirements for suppliers. Status: Underway. Result: Being processed. For example, all new standard office furniture will be Svane labelled. Measure: Compare our own environmental results with comparable companies in Norway and Europe. Status: Underway. Result: Will be implemented during 2009. This is Kontorservice Kontorservice is an HR department responsible for: Internal operations and maintenance, including operative responsibility for fire safety and access control. Cleaning and canteen services. ”By using larger units instead of disposable packaging, we save 19 tonnes of waste per year,” boasts section manager Annette Molden and Tord Huse from ISS. 6 statkraft ommon services such as mail delivery, printing centre C (which produces internal printed matters), main office reception and switchboard for the main office and the regions. Meeting rooms, including audiovisual equipment and video conferences. Purchases to the main office, including office furniture, common area fittings and furniture, coffee machines, mobile telephones, plants and printers. The employees in Kontorservice are responsible for great environmental results in the canteen. From the back, left: Erling Sundnes, Øyvind Sandberg, Øystein Anker Sørensen, Torill Andersen, Marianne Stræte, Unni Sletta, Randi Elstad. From the left, front: Annette Molden, Cathrine Gabrielsen, Tove Tverberg and Britt Ghebrezadick. Common environment project How do you make all the Kontorservice staff take the time to sit down together? Ask them to formulate theirs own vision and environment plan. “We in Kontorservice work on servicing other departments. It is hectic and fun, but we rarely have a chance to sit down together,” says section manager Annette Molden. She wanted to do something about this, and gathered all her employees for a seminar where they developed a vision for their department: “We shall be the leading office administration in Europe as regards environmental management and ecology”. This is a vision we can unite under, making it easier to make our small contribution towards making Statkraft achieve its overall vision of being the best in Europe on renewable energy,” says Molden. The new vision became the foundation for an environmental plan which was completed in the summer of 2007. Several measures have been implemented (see fact box to the left), and more are underway. “We have already achieved a great deal and are looking forward to continuing. This project has really generated enthusiasm and a sense of togetherness and pride among Kontorservice’s employees,” says Annette Molden proudly. 19 000 In one year, Statkraft has reduced the amount of disposable packa ging waste by 19 000 kilograms – all due to the canteen project. people & power 7 Current Jamie Andrew The victor Henning Villanger and Merete Knain were impressed by the iron will of Jamie Andrews. “You can be positive about the future” is more than just the name of Statkraft’s new ad campaign. To Jamie Andrew, it is an ethos which helps him overcome enormous obstacles every day. Nobel and Statkraft Scarlett Johansson, Michael Caine and an army of international stars. Statkraft is a key sponsor of the internationally successful Nobel Peace Prize Concert. Text Cato Gjertsen photo Hans Fredrik Asbjørnsen The head of the UN weapon inspectorate, Hans Blix, was one of many prominent speakers at Statkraft’s Nobel seminar. I was completely unprepared for having my arms and legs amputated. When I woke up and understood the situation, I wished I had died up on the mountain. Jamie Andrew A snowstorm forced Jamie Andrew and his best friend to spend five days on a 4000-metre mountain top in the Alps in 1999. When the rescue heli copter finally arrived, Jamie’s friend was dead and Jamie had severe frost injuries all over his body. The doctors at the hospital were forced to amputate both legs below the knees and both arms below the elbows. Jamie Andrew has managed an incredible feat: Coming back from losing his feet and hands. Wanted to die. During the Nobel seminar at Statkraft in December, Jamie spoke about his experiences and The future is bright In November 2008, Statkraft launched a broad ad campaign in Norwegian media. The name of the campaign is “The future can bee bright”, and the ads have been placed in TV, cinemas, newspapers and magazines. Head of marketing, Grete Ingeborg Nykkelmo, says that the purpose of the campaign is to spread knowledge about Statkraft’s work with renewable energy, and that this is something that will benefit society in general in the future. She says that the ads were designed before the financial crisis struck, but that the economic downturn in many ways has made the contents even more relevant. “The campaign is directed towards “modern” 8 statkraft people. We want to reach those with children and grandchildren growing up and young people with their future ahead of them. Common for all those we want to reach with our message is that they are opinion leaders in their social circles,” says Nykkelmo. This is the fourth ad campaign from Statkraft to hit Norwegian media since the spring 2007. The campaigns have been an important part of the work to build the company’s reputation. Surveys conducted after the three last campaigns have shown that they hit their marks well among the target groups. Read more on the Intranet 1500 By 2015, Statkraft aims to produce at least 1500 megawatts from landbased wind power how they affected him as a person. “I was completely unprepared for having my feet and hands amputated. When I awoke and understood the situation, I wished I had died up on the mountain. I could not see how I could live a meaningful life. However, there were many people around me who loved me, and I slowly, but surely started preparing for my new life,” says Jamie. He chose to approach this new life situation as a problem to be solved, just like he used to approach summits. If he were to have any chance of scaling this new, gigantic challenge, he realized that he had to follow two rules. The first was that he did not have to go any road alone. He had friends, family and medical personnel who were always there for him. He had to use that help, even if he realized that there would be many situations where his pride could get in the way. The second rule was that the road to his new life would not be just one big challenge. “A role model for everyone” Henning Villanger, Finance Manager, Industrial Ownership Interests, is very impressed with Jamie Andrew’s achievements. Villanger and his colleague Merete Knain, communications manager at Trondheim Energi, were eager to give the Scot positive feedback. “First of all, I feel that Jamie has an incredibly strong story. He is really a role model, and fully understanding his situation is impossible. Some of the emotions he experienced during “I set many small goals for each day. If the nurse brushed my teeth one day, I decided that I would manage it on my own the next. Whether it took 20 minutes or two hours did not matter. I had plenty of time and the goals I set were always attainable,” says Jamie. From victory to victory. As the sense of mastering the situation increased, so did the difficulty of the goals he set. First, Jamie aimed to learn to walk with his prosthetic legs. Later, the goal became First electric taxi in Scandinavia A new era has been launched for Trondheim’s taxis, with a solution based on two Norwegian-made Think cars. Before the taxis left Oslo for Trondheim over the Dovre mountains, they took Norways Minister of Transport and Communications, Liv Signe Navarsete, for a spin. A two-seat Think with room for one passenger is a minimalist solution which will face tough competition from more luxurious Mercedes cars. However, there is great faith in the project, based partly on the fact that 80 per cent of all taxi rides have just one passenger. Trondheim Energi wants to contribute to more green transport in the region, and is therefore the pilot project’s main partner. the expedition and later must have been extreme. How he lives his life in spite of the injuries says a lot about him as a person,” says Villanger, and Knain adds: “Jamie’s experiences really give a perspective to one’s own problems. It is quite embarrassing when you think of how just small everyday things can make you complain. If Jamie can attain all his goals, there is no reason that we should not do the same,” says Knain. to complete the London Marathon. After a few years, Jamie started climbing again, and he has been on Kilimanjaro and back in the area of the Alps where he nearly died. “People ask me what my toughest everyday challenge is. That is undoubtedly my three children, Iris, Alix and Liam. If I had died on the mountain or decided to just lay down and die later, they would never have been born. Today, I am incredibly proud to pass on the gift of life to them. If there is any lesson to be learned from my story, it is that nothing is impossible. Set attainable goals and strive towards them. There is no reason why you should not attain them!” “We are concerned with giving some thing back to the community. To be able to contribute to raising the peace prize’s profile even more, both nationally and internationally, is an undivided pleasure for us,” says Statkraft’s executive vice president for communication, Ragnvald Nærø. Nærø emphasizes that the annual peace prize award ceremony and concert are the only truly inter national events in Norway. “Statkraft is also becoming an increasingly international group. The cooperation with the peace prize concert therefore benefits both parties.” In recent years, the peace prize has more often been awarded to people with a commitment beyond the classical conflict resolution perspective, e.g. environment activists Al Gore and Wangari Maathai. “We are concerned with clean energy in Statkraft, and the world needs more of this. The fact that the Nobel committee connects peace with the environment makes it even more natural and appropriate for us to be one of the sponsors,” says Nærø. Statkraft is also a partner for the Nobel concert in Stockholm, which focuses on classical music. Statkraft holds seminars both in Oslo and Stockholm with high-profile international speakers and guests. “This means a lot to us, taking our guests to two international-level seminars, in addition to the special ambience at the concerts. There is certainly no reason to complain about the quality of the stars. Such events contribute to important networking for Statkraft,” says Nærø. This is also an opportunity to raise awareness about the peace prize internally: “We have about 100 tickets for our employees for the meeting with the laureate in Oslo on the award day. This is a great event which is broadcast live on CNN,” says Nærø. people & power 9 the photo story svartisen Vignett There are kilowatts for the taking everywhere in Svartisen. In the glacier, in the water and in the creeks. But nothing gives a more powerful impression than the nature and the people who work in it. Text Cato Gjertsen photo Dag Spant Electrician Stein Harald Engen 10 statkraft Mechanic Kenneth Rendal people & power 11 kraftverket Svartisen A good hold Einar Lorentsen has worked in the Glomfjord power plant group for 23 years. Here, he checks that the chains on a crane sit right. As a maintenance manager, his job is to allocate the tasks of the day to his employees, follow up the work and ensure that everyone has the right gear and equipment. Lorentsen is also power plant manager Karl Svein Thorrud’s deputy. Dry in the heights The bridge in the picture crosses the Fykanåga river upstream of Glomfjord power plant. There are few roads to the installations in the catchment areas for the three power plants. This means the employees have to walk or use a snowmobile when going out to repair things. If the new equipment is too heavy to transport on the ground, a helicopter must be hired for the job. Our employees are worth their weight in gold 12 statkraft people & power 13 kraftverket Vignett Free falling The magazines for the three reservoirs have about 50 creeks running into them. The water around the glacier goes to Svartisen power plant, while the catchment area below 600 metres above the sea goes to Glomfjord power plant. Neverdalsåga power plant gets its water from creeks a little to the west of the two other power plants. Up, up, up… Power plant manager Karl Svein Thorrud There is no room for fear of heights if you are going to the intake reservoir for Glomfjord power plant. To get there, you must take a cable car up to 450 metres above the sea. The cable car system was built in the 1960s and is by far the best vantage point from which to survey the beautiful Glomfjord. The creators of wealth The nature is beautiful, but also harsh Glomfjord power plant group has only ten employees, but they are all worth their weight in gold for Meløy Municipality. This is because Glomfjord power plant group is the municipality’s largest tax payer, in one of Norway’s most heavily industrialized areas, about midway between Mo i Rana and Bodø. This says something of the magnitude of the wealth created in the organisation, bearing in mind that the two major Norwegian industrial groups Yara and REC are among its closest neighbours. Mechanic Willy Benjaminsen Glomfjord power plant group consists of Glomfjord, Svartisen and Neverdalsåga power plants. The three have a total annual mean production of about 2200 GWh, delivering electricity to local industry as well as the national grid. Glomfjord power plant was built in 1920, Neverdalsåga power plant in 1955 and Svartisen power plant in 1993. The n ature in the area is beautiful, but also harsh. Employees almost always have to walk to reach the installations in the catchment areas, and as you can see from the pictures, this is no walk in the park. On overgrown paths Power plant manager Karl Svein Thorrud on his way to Glomfjord power plant’s intake reservoir. The rails he is walking on are used when heavy equipment is transported to and from the dam and the hatch house. Like the areas around the other two power plants, this is a popular recreation area for the citizens of Meløy Municipality. 14 statkraft Energy operator Kjell Markussen Power plant manager Karl Svein Thorrud says that even if nature makes it a rough place to work, the employees are happy there. “There are only ten of us, so we cannot afford someone specializing in just one small area. Everyone has to work on all installations, but I think I speak for everyone when I say that this is a bonus. It makes the days more varied and keeps us on our toes,” says Thorrud. Mechanic Steinar Aasmyr Operations technician Terje Brandt people & power 15 current While CO2 emissions are increasing ominously and the greenhouse effect is the subject of a heated climate debate, Statkraft is launching a web portal which may be part of the solution. Tore Melland, business developer in Statkraft Innovation and Growth Text Yvonne Dybwad photo Yvonne Dybwad and Gettyimages Clean power in Honduras Households and companies which buy CO2 quotas contribute to preventing the emissions of a corresponding amount of greenhouse gases elsewhere in the world. In the town of La Esperanza in Honduras, the sale of CO2 quotas has made it possible to build a hydropower plant which replaces energy produced from diesel and coal. The hydropower plant has a capacity of 12.7 MW, based on water from the local river. This production replaces corresponding production from fossil fuels. Not only does the project provide clean energy, it also secures a stable power supply to the local community. With its new CO2 portal, Statkraft wants to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. V Gunnar Hovland and Tore Melland launched the CO2 portal in Amsterdam. ia www.myCO2.no, Statkraft has established trading of UNapproved CO2 quotas which contribute to reducing the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions. “Statkraft is the biggest player in Europe in renewable energy. Our objective with the myCO2.no portal is to become part of the solution by helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a simple way,” says managing director in Trondheim Energi Kraftsalg, Gunnar Hovland. Hovland had the honour of launching the portal during the anniversary seminar for Statkraft Statkraft participates in fair Statkraft will participate with its own stand at Europe’s leading energy fair in Essen in Germany from 10 to 12 February 2009. The fair will focus on a number of topics related to electricity and hydropower. The organisers of the “E-World Energy & Water” fair expect almost 16 000 visitors from 30 countries, up 20 per cent from last year's visitor numbers. More than 450 energy business players will attend with their own stands. 16 statkraft Markets Continental (SMC) in msterdam on 5 November. In A front of a shocked audience, Hovland showed how the anniversary conference alone produced emissions of 100 tonnes of CO 2. The shock quickly turned into laughter when Hovland pulled out a payment terminal and made CEO Bård Mikkelsen buy CO 2 quotas for 1800 euros with his gold card. For companies and households. MyCO2.no has been developed by Trondheim Energi in cooperation with SMC. It has Eng- lish, German, Dutch and Norwegian language versions and can be used by both companies and households. The price per CO2 quota is deter mined by supply and demand in the market and is listed on the Nord Pool electricity exchange. Gunnar Hovland and his colleague Tore Melland, who is a business developer in Statkraft Innovation and Growth, say that the portal can be used by both companies and households. They expect that companies will use the portal the most, while households are more likely to buy quotas via Statkraft’s partners, such 120 TWh Norwegian power production is almost exclusively based on hydropower. The total annual production is about 120 TWh, of which hydropower contributes 99 per cent. More information about buying quotas under the auspices of the UN and Statkraft can be found at www.myCO2.no Weathering the storm The finance crisis has hit Norwegian companies hard, and hardly any companies or industries have been left unscathed. Statkraft’s own experts do, however, believe that the company is well equipped to make it through the recession. Both businesses and households have been made to feel the finance crisis, but what will be the consequences for Statkraft? The financial crisis has had significant effects on commodity prices, such a coal, oil and gas, and it is expected that prices and demand for power may drop in the short and middle term. With lower growth, Statkraft expects some reductions in expected investments. Treasurer Unni Hongseth says that this may have implications for Statkraft in the period ahead. “The value of listed companies comparable to Statkraft has been reduced by 40 to 60 per cent from the top quotations. Our shares are not listed, but developments indicate that the energy sector is also affected by the financial crisis. Statkraft has good access to short-term loans in the certificate market, and has therefore covered its need for financing. We are comfortable with Statkraft’s financing situation. There are many players which have far greater problems with getting financing and which have to pay far more for it,” says Hongseth. As the financial crisis grew, there was also a new tendency in the end-user market, according to Trondheim Energi. Far more end-users received first-time debt collection notifications in the third quarter of 2008 than in the same period in 2007. What is surprising in this connection is that the number of resolved debt collection cases also increased. The average Norwegian seems to have become better at paying up when the Read more on the Intranet. chips are down.. as airline and railroad companies. Great climate commitment. “There is an increasing commitment to climate and environmental measures, especially in Germany and the Netherlands. By launching this portal, we have made it easy for Statkraft’s partners and customers to buy UN-approved climate quotas,” says Melland. The two colleagues emphasize that everyone can contribute to a better environment by compensating for their own emissions and travel by buying approved climate quotas. Not stopped by the finance crisis: As soon as the rainy season ends, the expansion of TheunHinboun in Laos will commence. In spite of the crisis, the hydropower plant in which Statkraft owns 20 per cent, got its financing in place – due to seven international and Thai banks. The investment exceeds USD 500 million. Photo Stein Morch Taking the struggle for the environment online By launching this portal, we have made it easy for Statkraft’s partners and customers to buy UN-approved climate quotas Strengthening government relations “Understanding the framework conditions, and not least following up changes and making our voices heard, will be important for achieving the growth we are planning,” says Oluf Ulseth, director for Europe and head of the government relations unit on the group staff communication and corporate responsibility. This area has recently been strengthened with two new employees, and another is on the way. Eivind Heløe (42) has taken up the position of head of government relations in Norway. His previous job was director of political communication in Argument AS and he has extensive experience from political analysis and lobbying vis-à-vis political authorities and the civil service. Simen Bræin (35) has been hired as senior advisor and will work on government relations outside of Norway, especially in Southeast Europe. He comes from the Foreign Ministry, where he has worked as deputy head of the Norwegian Embassy in Beograd, Serbia and Montenegro. Work is also underway to fill a position as senior advisor in energy and climate policy. 2100 Øvre Bersåvatn and Nedre Bersåvatn power plants in Hardanger are the smallest built by Statkraft. The total annual production is about 43 GWh, enough to supply about 2100 households. Powerful birthday boy On 17 October, Knapsack power plant in Nordrhein Westfalen, Germany, celebrated its first birthday. The gas power plant has 36 employees and will produce 800 MW when it reaches full capacity in 2009. Operations have gone as planned since the start-up. Sure, there have been a few teething problems during the first year, but nothing more than expected. The administration building will be completed this spring. And no-one needs worry whether visitors will know that this is a Statkraft facility. Our logo is impressively displayed on all sides of the buildings, in addition to a dam excavated near the entrance which has our logo in the centre. people & power 17 feature e.on-agreement Read the behin story d the mam moth deal page s 22-2 3 Willkommen! “Finally back among our own!” Power plant manager Frank Pöhler was unusually outspoken when the Norwegian delegation visited Erzhausen. Statkraft’s take-over is the cause of happiness in Germany as well as Wales and Sweden. 18 statkraft We couldn’t have been happier with our new German colleagues. Technical director Astrid Elisabeth Løken people & power 19 feature e.on-agreement What are your expectations for the Statkraft take-over? Statkraft in Northern Europe …as was Patrick Hacke, who got on well with Jens Davidsen. Following the agreement with E.ON, our map of Northern Europe looks like this: Hans-Georg Holz (53) =>AF0H Machinist, Germany BF434= 7H3A>?>F4A C74D: F8=3?>F4A 58=;0=3 Holger Bartelt (37) 18><0BB >55824 C74=4C74A;0=3B Matthias Acker was also pleased to get a visit from Norway . A 20 statkraft Statkraft unique in Europe The manager for E.ON’s pumpedstorage plant, Frank Pöhler, has not seen any scepticism towards Statkraft from his German collea gues. He believes the German goodwill towards the organization will only grow in the time ahead. “Statkraft is unique in Europe within eco-friendly energy. Their hydropower competence will undoubtedly strengthen our position and ensure con tinued operation of the power plants. It is no secret that we, at times,have felt unappreciated in E.ON. Hydropower has not had the same prestige there as it does in Statkraft. This is why I really feel that we have come home now,” says Pöhler. Further growth Much is similar in the four countries involved in the E.ON agreement. But there are also fundamental differences, such as electricity consumption per person. In Germany: Two gas power plants (917 MW), 11 hydropower plants (262 MW) and shares in E.ON worth 2.2 billion euro. Electricity consumption per person measured in kWh per year (2004). Average price per kWh in eurocents I n Sweden: 40 hydropower plants (975 MW) and five district heating plants (300 GWh). 1) Norway 26,6 2) Sweden 3,04 2) Sweden 16,7 3) Germany 4,06 In the UK: 1 hydropower plant in Wales (56 MW) 3) Germany 7,4 Statkraft will get about 220 new employees. 4) The UK 6,7 (No figures available for the UK) 1) Norway 2,81 Skilled professionals people who have now become our colleagues, and that means that there is no need for training. This will be all about constructive cooperation from day one,” says Engen. The Norwegian Statkraft delegation is clear in their assessment after their inspection tour of the hydropower plants previously owned by E.ON in northern Germany: “The employees are skilled professionals with a high degree of competence and professional pride. In addition, they are good at taking care of and utilizing their power plants,” says senior engineer in electrical/gas Otto Engen. Outside the Erzhausen pumped-storage plant, the Norwegian who has just had a thorough tour of the plant with his Norwegian colleagues, gives it the thumbs-up. He says that the technical equipment from 1998 is very modern and holds a high standard. The manager for E.ON’s pumpedstorage plant, Frank Pöhler Competence manager, Germany “I hope and trust that Statkraft will get to know the new power plants really well before they make any changes. My impression of the new management is that their words and actions correlate and that they are good at focusing on core competence. This will hopefully reduce the bureaucracy which has characterized some of the operations until now.” Astrid Elisabeth Løken (46) >B<>C82?>F4A he agreement with E.ON entails that Statkraft takes T over assets worth NOK 4.5 billion euro, including: text cato gjertsen photo erik thallaug Technical director Astrid Elisabeth Løken is focusing on the fact that Statkraft gets more competence on a type of power plant which the organization has not previously owned. “In addition, we have gained a solid foothold on the continent, which will undoubtedly give us valuable experience in our future growth in Europe. To Statkraft, it is now important that the German market gets to know our organization, which is why we will proceed cautiously and show the same openness which characterizes Norwegian business culture. In this connection, we could not be more fortunate with our new German colleagues. I am sure they will become great ambassadors for Statkraft,” says Løken. 60B?>F4A Facts The Land of Smiles is said to lie in the Far East, but if you saw how the Statkraft employees from Norway were received by their new colleagues in Germany, you could be forgiven for believing that Germany was it. meeting signals success for our future cooperation,” says Norbom. <08=>55824 Statkraft is unique in Europe within environmentally friendly energy. Their hydropower competence will undoubtedly strengthen our position and ensure continued operation of the power plants. With open arms t the end of October, a group of about ten Norwegian Statkraft employees travelled to Germany to meet their new colleagues and inspect Statkraft’s new pumped-storage and river power plant. The reception they were given exceeded all expectations. Senior HSE adviser Kjell Norbom has been impressed by the openness and warmth he and his colleagues were received with, and adds that the hospitality was equally hearty in Wales and Sweden. “We represent the new owners from a foreign country outside the EU, we speak a foreign language and come from a culture which until recently was unknown to the Germans. All the same, we have been received with open arms, and I have not met any sceptics. This 64A<0=H “My first impression is that Statkraft is a solid organization which listens to its employees. Competence is king and there is broad professional milieu with short distances between managers and employees.” “This is in no way inferior to what we see in Norway. Sure enough, some of the other power plants in the area have had fewer upgrades over the last few years, but it is still obvious that the workers are using their broad competence to get the best from their power plants. They are basically very smart Senior engineer in electrical/gas Otto Engen His views are supported by machinist HansGeorg Holz, who says that there is a very strong work culture among the German colleagues. “We have always delivered what was expected from us, and then some more. I have not really got to know Statkraft yet, but I like what I have seen. Hydropower is important for the top management, and I understand that the chain of command will be shorter than we are used to. With this foundation, everything should be in place to make us feel well cared for as part of the Statkraft family,” says Holz. Technical director of production, Norway “I have great expectations for the cooperation. There is no doubt that these are two highly skilled competence milieus, uniting their strengths. I therefore hope that all parties will be good at listening, enabling us to get the most from the synergy effects.” Nicklas Kilstam (36) Operations manager for the five district heating plants Statkraft will take over in Sweden “It feels great to get a chance to work in a company with such a clearly defined goal of expanding into district heating and production of green energy. The employees in Sweden have been positive from day one, and the integration process has been interesting and educational. Our impression is that the new owners are serious, responsible and competent.” Henry Drake (58) Power station manager at Rheidol Power Station, Wales “Everyone at Rheidol is looking forward to becoming part of Statkraft. The people we have met are very nice as well as highly competent. We want to do our bit to make the changeover as smooth as possible, and we want to share our knowledge with our new colleagues. The pure energy focus is also very appealing, and we hope that Statkraft will grow to be a success in the UK.” people & power 21 feature e.on-agreement Hands across the border for district heating M chief eet nego Stein tiator Dale By Anne Lise Åkervik Facts he final breakthrough in the negotiaT tions between Statkraft and E.ON took place at Laksfors in Nordland on 17 September 2007. the he finalization of the negotiations T involved more then nine units and more than 100 people in the Statkraft system. In the most hectic period, seven external consultancy firms were hired. long he final agreement was signed in T Stockholm on 24 July 2008 by the CEOs Dr Wulf Bernotat (E.ON) and Bård Mikkelsen (Statkraft). journey When His Majesty and two ministers showed up, everyone, whether from E.ON or Statkraft, realized how big this agreement really was. Read the story behind the largest, sober business transaction ever in the Nordic countries. text Birger Baug photo Hans Fredrik Asbjørnsen Project Genoa!? Did you ever wonder why the secret negotiations with E.ON were given the widely adopted name “Genoa”, which is the name of a type of sail? If you are into anagrams, you may have understood already. If not, try reshuffling the letters in E.ON AG … The name’s inventor? Sailing aficionado Stein Dale. E.ON’s code name for the egotiations? “Elk”. n N orwegian industrial history was made on 24 July 2008, when the CEOs of Statkraft and E.ON shook hands and signed the giant agreement between the two companies. In the photograph the whole thing may have looked easy, but every word in the agreement was the result of a massive effort. The person who knows most about that effort is negotiation leader, executive vice president and CFO Stein Dale. Throughout the process with E.ON, he led an army of sharp lawyers, economists, advisors and analysts. And without them Statkraft’s world of 2009 would be very different, a fact Dale is the first to acknowledge: “I only had to complete the victory parade of that long relay race. There is one single reason why this went so well: The fact that the team completed this hard work in such an exacting and thorough manner. The expansion has started No matter who did what, the fact remains that “Project Genoa” resulted in an agreement worth about 4.5 billion euro, or NOK 40 billion. Statkraft has become an even bigger player in renewable energy and has begun its expansion on the continent in earnest. This process is sure 22 statkraft not to stop with the E.ON agreement, but we are unlikely to see figures of the same magnitude for some time. This was, after all, the largest business transaction in Norway ever. It was also the largest transaction in the Nordic countries ever, if one takes a teetotal approach and excludes the sale of Absolut Vodka. “As we have received assets and shares equalling the amount we traded away in shares, the transactions in reality involve 9 billion euro,” says Dale. Unfortunate situation The whole thing really started in April 1996, when Statkraft started acquiring shares in Sydkraft, which would later become E.ON Sverige. From 2002, Statkraft owned 45 percent and E.ON 55 per cent of Sydkraft. This became an unfortunate situation, as the smaller and larger owner had diverging strategic interests. “Something had to be done. The problem was that we had an option to sell which valued our shares to about 2 billion euro. However, we knew that our shares were worth much more and would not sell at that price. So, we both just sat there for a while, before some small negotiation initiatives began to be made.” The first attempts led nowhere. “The shortest negotiation round took place in Copenhagen,” Dale reminisces. “It lasted 45 minutes, including lunch.” Mutual respect Even if the negotiations did not give any results, the atmosphere was always one of mutual respect. Dale personally has a great liking for the German negotiators, especially E.ON’s secondin-command Johannes Teyssen and their vice president for strategy Lutz Feldmann. On the Norwegian side, Anders Prietz, Rolf Busch, Kjetil Hartvedt Nilsen and, not least, Finn Fossanger made up the team in the early rounds. “There were tough fights in a good atmosphere. As time passed, we established good personal relationships.” But then, in April 2007, Teyssen called Dale to invite Statkraft to a meeting about E.ON’s “new organization structure”, which called for the centralization of all management units to Düsseldorf, including E.ON Sverige. “They could not do that without our consent, and they knew that we knew that,” says Dale. And so the meetings started again. As the Statkraft board had earlier made a decision not to exercise the sales option, the real value of the shares could be calculated. “Everything became much easier then. E.ON signalled that 4 billion euro could be an acceptable price, and we signalled that the agreement had to include at least one third of the hydropower in Sweden. Then we got underway.” Flames from the fireplace At a meeting at Laksfors in Nordland in September, the goal was to agree on the big issues. E.ON was represented by Teyssen, Feldman and CEO Wulf Bernotat and Statkraft by chair of the board Arvid Grundekjøn and CEO Bård Mikkelsen, in addition to Dale. Beautiful scenery and a blazing fireplace did the trick, in addition to two hardworking teams in their respective main offices: Two days later, Lutz and Dale shook hands on the terrace. They had agreed on a framework they could recommend. “That was a great moment for many more than just Lutz and me,” says Dale. And then the King came … October 12 was agreed on as the date for signing the letter of intent. This made both the Norwegian royal family and the Norwegian government realize what was about to happen. “E.ON wanted a big occasion at their main office. By coincidence, King Harald, the Minister of Trade and Industry and the Minister of Petroleum and Energy were all visiting Germany at the time. We were told in no uncertain terms that the program had been decided upon already, but the Norwegian ambassador contacted the royal palace anyway. “And lo and behold: The King found the whole thing so interesting that he ordered the curtailment of an official luncheon. When His Majesty and two ministers showed up, everyone, whether from E.ON or Statkraft, realized how big this agreement really was.” Two days of reading out loud We could have said that this was the end of the story, only adding that the negotiations over the details took ten months, culminating in the signing of the agreement in Stockholm on 24 July 2008. However, we must tell you that in Germany, such agreements have to be read out loud by a notary public, and this agreement was several hundred pages long. “The reading took almost two days. The notary public said he drank a litre of water for every hundred pages,” says Dale. Through the trade swap with German company E.ON AG., Statkraft takes over five district heating plants in Sweden. In Trondheim Energi Fjernvarme, they are ready to take over operations and are looking forward to it. “We have 25 years of experience with operation and development of district heating, so we have very good competence in this field,” says Steinar Asbjørnsen, managing director of Trondheim Energi Fjernvarme. In the capital of middle Norway, the district heating pipes are spreading across the city and entering new buildings. About 30 per cent of the heating in Trondheim is now supplied by district heating, and the grid expansion is continuous. The heat is mainly based on waste incineration, and about 500 GWh of heat is delivered per year. The five Swedish plants will deliver about 300 GWh in total. District heating goes well with Statkraft’s vision of becoming a leading player in green energy in Europe. Environmentally correct. “District heating goes well with Statkraft’s vision of becoming a leading player in green energy in Europe. The preparations for the takeover of the plants have been underway since summer, and Statkraft formally took over on 1 January. The local operating organization is part of the take-over, and this means that 18 employees from E.ON will now be employed by Statkraft. In addition, we will hire five more in Sweden,” says Asbjørnsen. “It has been important for us to have as many as possible of the Swedish employees continue with us, as they know the operations and plants well. Their competence and experience are important, and we will build on that.” Bio-energy and waste. Asbjørnsen believes there is much to learn from the Swedes. They have many years of experience because Sweden has had a strong focus on district heating for many years. The plants we take over in Sweden burn wood, while the plant in Trondheim burns waste. Steinar Asbjørnsen is very pleased with the swap trade Statkraft made with E.ON AG. “We have for many years wanted to develop the district heating activity further. These plants fit well into our portfolio, and this will give us a broader Nordic competence milieu for bio energy and district heating,” says Asbjørnsen. people & power 23 49 Wind power is expected to contribute 49 per cent of the growth in renewable energy in Europe leading up to 2020. Birds can see ultraviolet light, and their eyes have a special function which detects movement more easily. A new research project in Statkraft aims to make windmills more visible for sea eagles. The goal is to reduce the number of collisions between birds and machines. Birds see differently from people in several ways. Their colour vision is much better than ours, enabling them to differentiate between twice as many shades of colour. In addition, birds can see ultraviolet light, and they have a special eye function, a double lens, which makes it easier to detect movement. This should be a good foundation for reducing the number of collisions. The project will calculate and improve various models in natural surroundings at the Smøla windmill park in Norway, and also work closely with a visual-physiological project at the University of Uppsala in Sweden. The models will calculate the visibility of the windmills both as regards distancesand weather conditions. The project will probably result in new colours for the windmills and pave the way for different lighting systems. foto K arin Rosenqvist On two wheels in Stockholm 24 Per Rosenqvist uses the el scooter in Stockholm. statkraft Employees at Statkraft’s Stockholm office are blazing new trails to help the environment. They have not a single company car, but the electrical company moped has already become a very popular means of transport when employees are going to meetings or running quick errands. The moped can carry two and just needs to be plugged into an electrical outlet when the battery runs low. 33 An overview from 2003 shows that Statkraft implemented 33 selfimposed environmental restrictions in different waterways. The restrictions were related to everything from bio-diversity to erosion and aesthetics. A new R&D study aims to extend the lifetime of concrete dams by 40 years. One of the objectives is to see to what degree Statkraft can use new materials such as carbon fibres, which has become increasingly common in classical building technology in recent years. Photo Gettyimages Helping the eagles against windmills Wants to extend dam lifetime by 40 years The study is being conducted in co operation with the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE), which so far has been very positive to the objective. The hope is that NVE can adapt its regulations for use of new techniques and materials in line with the findings of the study. Lighter materials and less use of cement and heavy construction equipment could also give major environmental benefits. Alta power plant Wild or farmed? Salmon on its way to being tested, in the hands of Kjell Voll and Stian Myklatun Focusing on tidal and wave power Securing new licences for development, technology development and competence development is the main priority in Statkraft’s new strategy for investing in marine energy. The long-term goal is to produce power from tidal currents and waves. “The strategy is important because it specifies what we must do to attain our goals,” says Petter Hersleth, head of marine energy in Statkraft's business unit Innovation and Growth. “We now have a plan for what to do in the next few years, and we have chosen to focus on tidal power to begin with,” says Hersleth. The three most important factors to develop tidal power are to secure licences in places suited to plant construction, contribute to technology development and develop inhouse competence. The geographical focus is on the UK and Ireland. These countries have good subsidy systems, a large energy potential for tidal power and they have come a long way in developing regulations and licence processes. Statkraft also has ambitions in wave power, but has chosen to wait a while before making a commitment. The global tidal power potential is expected to be 700 TWh per year, as only a few areas are suited for tidal power plants. The potential for wave power, however, is almost endless, as it can take place wherever waves hit the shore. Agents in a strange hotel Energy Game to be used in schools 16 people in Trondheim Energi have been appointed “innovation agents”. Their task is to promote a culture of innovation in the company. The group was recently in Copenhagen for a five-day agent program. The partly Statkraft-financed Energy Game is an online game aimed at high school students. The objective of the game is to use energy sources in the best possible way, with environment/climate, resource use and costs closely intertwined. Their lodgings were at the very peculiar Hotel Fox, where Danish and foreign artists have been given a free hand to decorate and furnish the rooms, resulting in very different rooms. For instance, one of the participants lived in a room furnished like a tent, and had to sit on a log to brush his teeth! “Innovation has to do with being able to break out of the daily, humdrum routines,” says Kristin Bjelland, who was responsible for the study tour. The agent projects span from reuse of transformer stations to electronic signature systems for internal documents. “A very interesting game and learning concept for high school education, but also for the lower levels,” Anders Isnes from the National centre for natural science in education says enthusiastically. The centre wants to use its network and events to make the game known to teachers. The Energy Game is designed to encourage a way of thinking which takes into account the overall picture and highlights issues related to energy, environment and climate. If you want to test a preliminary version, visit www.energispillet.no (only in Norwegian for now). Photo Gunnar Kleven, Sogn Avis technology & environment Salmon being brought out on rafts from deep inside the mountain Power station becomes hatching station Expanding a 600 metre long power station tunnel is no easy task, a fact well known at Hove power plant in Norway. The final breeding salmon are now being taken out from deep inside the mountain, and from next autumn the outdated Refsdal power station will be used as a hatchery. Breeding salmon are captured in the tunnel every year to ensure reproduction of the local salmon stock in the river Vikja, in competition with escaped farmed salmon. The salmon are put in big open tanks in the power station area, where scale samples are taken to separate the wild fish from the escaped farmed fish. The wild fish are then stroked for eggs and sperm and the eggs are set aside to mature, before it’s back to the river for hatching. Due to the planned tunnel expansion, which may affect the natural growth of the salmon stock, extra large numbers of fish have been taken out this autumn and winter. In total, 130 salmon have ended up in the open tanks by the power station. “Today, we are inside the tunnel, stroking the fish. How much of it is farmed salmon, I do not know, but previously it has been almost 50 per cent", says maintenance manager Odd Bjarte Turvoll at Hove power station. When the salmon are in the tanks, all fish that are obviously farmed are taken out, killed and destroyed. The rest remain while waiting for the scale test results. “Have you never been tempted to take some fresh salmon home for dinner?” “Well, that would have to be the farmed salmon,” laughs Turvoll. “But according to the veterinary, the meat quality of the salmon is so poor this time of year that it is unsuitable for human consumption. So I guess we have to buy our salmon in the supermarket like everyone else.” But from this autumn, a new era will start when the old Refsdal power station is put to use as a hatchery. The station has been refurbished for NOK 3.5 million, allocated from a special egg deployment project. When the eggs reach the eyed egg stage, they are moved into plastic crates and returned to the river. people & power 25 visit the operating centre at dalen Dalen wind debu mill t Having lunch with: The production department at Statkraft Energi AS – Region Eastern Norway he 15 employees plan, monitor T and manage power production for 42 power plants across Eastern Norway. They also monitor the environment and the rate of water flow. rom the operating centre at Dalen F the river system can be regulated and help moderate flooding. The canteen is a popular gathering spot for employees, including Hege Jonassen Verpe, Torbjørn Hegna, Olav Kaasa and Axel Lang. he operating centre's power T plant has a production of 9.5 TWh per year. T Full storm in Dalen The lunch hosts at Dalen in Telemark, Norway attempt to set the very first records in our impromptu wind power contest. Judging from their concentration – their efforts may be hard to beat! Tekst Yvonne Dybwad og foto Yvonne Dybwad og Arild hansen The first to try the windmill test, from the left: Anne Berit Kilen, Knut Åge Hammerhaug and Åshild Løvold. 26 statkraft housands of acres of forest. Seven hunting clubs. Fifteen moose felled. Not surprisingly, moose are a hot topic when the Statkraft employees at Dalen take their lunch break in the middle of hunting season. "A lot of people are having lunch today. When moose hunting season started a couple of weeks ago, it was almost empty here and in the municipal building," chuckles hydrologist Axel Lang. Axel and his colleagues at Statkraft's operating centre at Dalen in Telemark are seated around a table in the canteen, eating lunch and discussing one of the most important topics of the fall season. The king of the forest is the source of great enthusiasm and merriment, and there is plenty of laughter - and also plenty of shift swapping going on. It's not always easy to get all the schedules to work when "everyone" is waiting for a chance to use their hunting licence. Big responsibility The rosters always get filled somehow. Statkraft's operating centre at Dalen in Telemark must be staffed round the clock, regardless of season, holidays or hunting licences. From the control room on the second floor, employees plan, monitor and manage power production for 42 power plants with a total of 71 units throughout Eastern Norway. The production engineers working at the operating centre make sure that power production stays within the limits stipulated in the licence. They are also responsible for continuous short-term optimization. In practical terms, this means that that the facilities are running well, and that the people who work to repair them can do so safely," says production engineer Bouke Bouman. He and the other production engineers are also assisted by good colleagues who monitor water le- "We sit at the heart of the production process, and we handle enormous assets on behalf of the Norwegian society. It feels important," says production planner Kristian Aune. "It is also good to know that we are working with renewable energy, which is significant in a global context," adds production man ager Hege Jonassen Verpe. The fact that Statkraft is becoming a major international industry player has ripple effects far into Telemark's deep forests. Dalen employees are already involved in several international projects, and more jobs are waiting. "This means new opportunities. An assignment abroad would be exciting," concludes Axel Lang, who is the veteran of two short-term assignments in Albania and Laos. We handle enormous assets on behalf of the Norwegian society. It feels important. Production planner Kristian Aune they have to evaluate which units should be run in order to extract the maximum power, and value from each drop of water. The operating centre manages even the smallest jobs to be carried out on the high-voltage facilities. "We must have a complete overview. Only then can we make sure vels and environmental impact, and who make sure that all of the power plants receive proper maintenance at the right time. Heart of the production The employees at Statkraft's operating centre in Dalen are proud of their workplace. a test of strength … … is People & Power's informal lunch contest, where the question is: which department has the greatest lung capacity in the Statkraft system? The best entry each year will receive a surprise by post. First out is the production department at Dalen in Telemark, which is currently in the lead, for obvious reasons. 170 mA For the record: The result is measured in milliamperes, and the highest readable level is what counts. people & power 27 hse injury development Stricter rules for snowmobiles and helicopters The objective is zero injuries One example of Statkraft’s safety work is “If you assume that accidents will occur, they will. The only acceptable objective is zero injuries. There is no alternative in Statkraft anymore,” states HSE director Torbjørn Lyngestad categorically. the recent move towards stricter training requirements for helicopter pilots and snowmobile drivers. This is definitely relevant, as Statkraft’s 70 snowmobiles drive about 100 000 kilometres every year and the helicopters fly 1 500 hours for Statkraft. “We have fortunately avoided serious accidents, but according to our statistics, snowmobiles have been involved in several critical incidents in recent years,” says Kirsti Elsfjordstrand in Statkraft. As regards to helicopters, statistics show that the number of incidents have fallen since the mid-‘90s. However, Statkraft still wants to make the rules stricter. A nd this mentality seems to be working: The group safety results are the best ever – never before have the number and extent of the injuries been so low. Bigger challenges. Best ever is not good enough for Lyngestad: “I am very pleased that we are better than ever, but let us not get complacent. We are really just beginning to understand what our ambition means, and the safety challenges have never been greater. We are growing in new markets and in new technologies. We expand geographically and are operating in an increasingly complex portfolio of ownership interests where we do not have direct control.” Lyngestad is therefore more than ever keen to create a safety culture which saturates Statkraft on all levels. The ambition is to be open, comply with guidelines and requirements and show a will for continuous improvement. Time for change. “This means that every Foto Norman Kjær vik day, and not just today, will be a time for change and a time for learning. But just writing it will not make it happen, we must do it and, not least, wish it and want it.” Lyngestad is inspired by Statkraft’s production unit. The business unit has The Statkraft group’s HSE principles 1. A concern for health and safety shall characterise all activities. 2. The health and safety culture shall be characterised by openness, a will to comply and continuous improvement. 3. We shall avoid injuries and health problems at all times. 4. We shall motivate for and facilitate a healthy and safe lifestyle. 5. Buildings, facilities and infrastructure must be carefully safeguarded. 6. We shall be prepared for serious accidents and critical situations. 28 statkraft HSE director Torbjørn Lyngestad. Everyone in Statkraft shall be properly safeguarded. now delivered its best safety results ever. So far in 2008, every other month has been injury-free, and the unit’s registered number of HSE deviations is at a record low. “More and more managers display a personal commitment to safety,” says Lyngestad. “In addition, more cases of undesirable HSE risk are recorded, and Our responsibility. Statkraft’s vision and ambitious growth strategy open up for other business opportunities, exciting projects and new cooperation relations. “At the same time, we are more exposed to risk than ever as regards to HSE, and it is our responsibility that safety is taken seriously in all ownership positions – by our own employees, consultants, suppliers and partners.” These days, the risk can most I am very pleased that we easily be identified in our ownerare better than ever, but ship in the company SN Power. let us not get complacent. “The Norwegian media coverage HSE director Torbjørn Lyngestad. of the situation concerning fatalities in hydropower projects in India and Chile is a liability. SN Power more and more people are showing a is working very hard to address these will to improve systems, processes and challenges, and it is our responsibility to behaviour. We are not yet as good as support this effort,” says Lyngestad. the top international companies – but we are getting there!” Everyone contributes. HSE is often associated with operational activities Like in sports. The development is and manual labour. In a growth phase not random – results and behaviour corsuch as the one we are now experiencing, relate, Lyngestad believes. Lyngestad emphasizes the importance of “Our culture must be characterized all staff areas using their opportunities by learning, and maybe we can learn to influence developments. something from the best in interna“This can be in connection with mantional team sports. They convert their agement systems and process areas, ambitious goals into a focus on their risk assessments, agreements and supown behaviour: work tasks and training plier requirements,” says Lyngestad. where the potential is greatest.” Even reduction in the number of injuries 35 Lost time injury index 30 (TRI) 25 (Injuries divided by the number of working hours x 1 000 000) 20 15 10 5 0 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Q3/08 people & power 29 THE POSITION tima iyer Tima Iyer Head of Southeast Europe Business Unit. Chartered accountant and IT auditor with a British BSC in mathematics. Lives at Høvik near Oslo. Married with two children. Leisure activities: We head for the mountains about every second weekend during the winter, for cross-country (preferably) and downhill skiing. I learnt to ski next to a golf course, and thought the ground was very bumpy! I have also done the 38 km Skarverennet race and tried snowboarding. In the summer we spend time at our holiday home in Havstenssund in Sweden with kayaking, sailing, golf and jogging. Tima Iyer BORDERLESS 30 statkraft Born in India. Grew up and trained in England. Married a Norwegian. Now she heads up our work in Southeast Europe. Few if any of our Statkraft people are as borderless as Tima Iyer. Text Stein Morch photo Erik Thallaug people & power 31 THE POSITION tima iyer Arrival Tirana with Simen Bræin, advisor government relations. The manage ment style and communication style are characterised by openness, compe tence, progress and high ambitions. To Kent as a one-year-old Tima started her journey into the world in Mumbai, India, in 1960. Her father was a university lecturer and her mother was a student. Although they were of the same caste, it was not acceptable to fall in love with and marry someone of one’s own choice. The family chose to move to England – at first just the father and mother – to a job in the Bank of India. The grandparents and one-year-old Tima Tima meets the Albanianminister of economy, trade and energy, Genc Ruli. 32 statkraft Good chemistry between different nationalities at a seminar at Fornebu: Stephane Barbeau, originally from Canada, Tima Iyer and Biserka Tmusic from Serbia. Always new preparations between frequent meetings in Tirana. From Slovenia to Turkey During Tima’s three years in Statkraft her assignment has focused on Southeast Europe. This region stretches from Slovenia in the west to Romania in the north and Turkey in the southeast. It is not hard to understand why the five people who did the preparatory work (general assessment, strategy and the initial contacts) during 2006-2007, have now grown to a staff of 25. “We now have expats as well as local employees in Belgrade, Podgorica, Tirana and Bucharest. We cooperate closely with Statkraft Markets Continental in the whole region. We have 17 people based in the main office, looking after the areas of strategy and business development, finance and technology,” Tima sums up. After a lot of travel and many meetings with authorities and partners, Tima is now well acquainted with the region’s countries and people. “I suppose I travel to Southeast Europe every second or third week,” she says. T irana, Podgorica, Belgrade, Bucharest, Sofia, Ankara. Tima Iyer spends more time in Southeast Europe than in the headquarters at Lilleaker these days. She and 25 colleagues are on the lookout for good hydropower projects and cooperation partners in Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey. Tima has just returned to Norway after three days in Albania and Montenegro. “What brought me to Statkraft? You might well ask!” Tima leans back in the sofa outside El Café at Lilleaker, and laughs before continuing. Her CV shows a British education in economics, and her professional life began with four years in the Avon County administration in Southwest England. “It was a man, of course,” she says, laughing again. “We had really intended to go to Sweden, but that was called off and we were offered an opportunity in Norway instead. Now we have been here for 21 years, and with a Norwegian husband, boys of 10 and 13 and a normal Norwegian family life, I probably should switch from British to Norwegian citizenship soon.” “We are particularly interested in hydropower development and rehabilitation as well as acquisitions. There is no shortage of opportunities and potential: Turkey alone has hydropower potential as large as the rest of Southeast Europe put together, around 125 TWh. Several of these countries are now getting ready to sell government-owned power stations. We are also keeping an eye out for opportunities in wind power, solar power and gas power,” she says. Albania first? followed six months later. “As a result, I was an adult before I met one half of my family,” she says. She grew up in Kent outside London. At home, at play and at school, the language of everyday life was English. Tima attended a girls’ school and then studied at Bristol University for three years, training to be an accountant, while working as a trainee and economist in Avon. By 1987 she was ready to expand her horizons. From accounting to energy “A chance contact in the accounting and consultancy company KPMG led to an opportunity in Norway,” she explains. "At first for six months, but then the e ngagement was extended and I stayed on for 16 years as an accountant, consultant, partner and head of department. I got to know a wide variety of Norwegian businesses.” In 2004 she was looking for something new and interesting – something of an international caliber. She spent one year as director of man agement consulting in Norconsult, and then a year in SN Power as director with special responsibility for communications and social responsibility. From January 2006 she has been working with Statkraft and Southeast Europe. Informal working atmosphere “From the New Year, every fifth Statkraft employee will be located outside Norway. What would you say to those who wonder what it will be like to work with us?” “It is first of all a very informal working environment with very little hierarchy. It is easy to get in touch with colleagues and managers at all levels. The management style and communication style are characterised by openness, competence, progress and high ambitions. At the same time, people trust you to organise your own work, with flexible working hours and a home office if that is more convenient. Norwegians think it is important that people get out into the open air,” she says. “In our leadership meetings the programme includes time to go for a run before dinner. That is almost obligatory.” “There’s nothing negative?” “Yes, some bureaucracy. And high ambitions can be such a challenge that it becomes frustrating. As it is in other companies,” she says. Assignment: more clean energy Tima believes that those who join Statkraft now will be part of an exciting period. “Our task is to find more hydropower opportunities. As we take up this task we are already Europe’s largest generator of renewable energy, and one fourth of our production capacity is located abroad,” Tima states. The degree of success depends not least on the Southeast Europe unit, with Tima as acting director. Through signing the concession agreement with the Albanian government, EVN AG and Statkraft were awarded the right to develop the hydro power project on the Devoll river in Albania. Several other projects in Southeast Europe are now nearing finalisation with partners and authorities. “Most of them involve construction of new hydropower plants. We are in a good position for other projects in Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro. In Turkey and Montenegro the governments are also preparing for privatisation of big government-owned power stations, and this might start as soon as next year,” Tima says. Southeast Europe now has the best opportunities for expansion in the European power sector, and all the big power companies are there. “We were there early, one of just a few to start with, and we are well positioned. We have demonstrated a commitment to achieve something, we have signed cooperation agreements and are well known. Our history as a government-owned company, without being a giant, and our experience from hydropower and a free power market, create an interest. Most people here don’t yet emphasise renewable, clean energy as much as we do. But as their goal is EU membership, both liberalisation and more renewable energy will be high on these countries’ agenda in the years to come,” Tima points out. No shortcuts! “Isn’t this also about political issues and business cultures that might offer some other challenges than the ones we are used to in Northern Europe?” “We are closely watching what is taking place in politics as well as in business life, and it is important to us to have a broad range of contacts. We underline to authorities as well as business partners that we recomend the use of transparent processes. All contracts contain a clause on zero tolerance for corruption, and we do a careful analysis of our business partners. Like everyone else, we receive creative propo- management and language, I expect. A management that is just Norwegian will not seem natural. We must ensure that our overseas activities and employees are looked after as well and are given as much attention as those in Norway. “What about the language? It is easy to say the solution is to use as much English as possible. But it’s not all that easy to speak English on a daily basis if we’re working in Norway, Sweden, It is important that we get to know each other across national borders. And there is certainly a great deal of mutual attention and interest. sals quite regularly. It is an advantage to have orwegian managers, who are seen as having N easy access to the top decision makers, and to have local employees who know the local conditions and can help make us and our attitudes known locally in an efficient way.” “What do you think the situation will be in ten years’ time?” “By then we must have a considerable power production. Our current ambition is to have decided on investments for 1,2 TWh in 2015. And that should be within our reach.” Bonding across borders “How will internationalisation change Statkraft?” “There will be some changes with regard to Germany or the Netherlands.” “Over time we must use more English. This makes sense when you have several nationalities working together. In our unit most people are Norwegian, but it is absolutely necessary for us to have our documentation in English. In our day to day work, however, it will still be natural to communicate in our local languages, with Norwegian in Norway and German in Germany, and so on.” “Now we are welcoming over 200 new colleagues. How big a challenge will this be?” “It is no small challenge, and a lot of work has already gone into it. It is important that we get to know each other across national borders. I am looking forward to becoming more international with Statkraft!” The World Bank is an important partner. Here is the bank’s representative in Albania, Demetrios Papathanasiou, and from the left Statkraft’s Simen Bræin, Tima Iyer and Bredo Erichsen. people & power 33 personell HR Vice President Beate Hamre Deck is concerned about multi-lingual competence 30 District heating covers about 30 per cent of Trondheim’s heating requirements. The right competence at the right time Text Yvonne Dybwad photo Stein Morch “If we are to achieve the strategic goals we have set, it is crucial to have employees with the right competence at the right time,” says Statkraft’s vice president of human resources, Beate Hamre Deck. STATKRAFT IS IN A STRONG GROWTH PHASE. This means many new people are to be recruited. “At the same time we must facilitate development of the employees we already have so that they can take on new challenges and perform optimally. We are well underway,” assures HR vice president Beate Hamre Deck. Statkraft’s HR Department works systematically on helping managers set goals for the employees and prepare development plans, at the same time as development measures are implemented through management courses, coaching, career plans and technical courses. Many employees also find it exciting to transfer to other jobs within the organisation. Beate Hamre Deck emphasises that a lot will change when Statkraft goes from being a Norwegianhydropower producer to becoming an international company within renewable energy. “This creates other demands on the organisation. We must become even better at cooperating and thinking innovatively. Multi-lingual skills become increasingly important and we must make room for more disciplines,” she says. She finds it interesting to head the HR process. At the same time she feels humble in the face of the tasks she and the rest of the organisation will be handling. “HR can design tools and provide support, but the line managers must do the biggest job. Close contact between HR, line managers and employee representatives will therefore be even more important in the future. We particularly need good managers who motivate and bring out the best in our employees, and who achieve interaction,” says Hamre Deck. Jostein Eggerud, How do you feel about working for Statkraft? 34 statkraft Executive Officer – Tech nical, Statkraft Lilleaker “Statkraft is a group with substantial international growth, which entails interesting tasks and major development potential. It is beneficial to society, valuable and motivating to be able to contribute to production and the development of clean energy.” 150 A total of 150 kilometres of pipe have been laid all over Trondheim for district heating. 18428 Germany is the European country that produces the most wind power: 18 428 MW. (www.ewea.org) Torunn Solbraa Ramos, Chief Accounts Officer, Statkraft Lilleaker “My background is in finance/IT, so for me it has been exciting to get to know Statkraft’s core activities and strategies. I had already heard a lot of positive things about the working environment, and so far this seems to agree with my experience. New energy Statkraft Norway Maja Egeland, Trainee Strategy Grethe Skaarn, Accounting Assistant, Region Khai Nguyen, Controller, Accounting Depart. Turid Strand, Adviser, Communication and Social Responsibility Ole Kristian Gravrok, Adviser, IT and Processes Mark Ivin, Vice-President, Finance Freddy Hafskjold, Section Manager, IT and Processes Mikjel Bjercke, Adviser, IT and Processes Simen Bræin, Special Adviser, Commu nication and Corporate Social Responsibility Lars Magnus Günther, Adviser, Communication and Corporate Social Responsibility Sandro Olivieri, Analyst, Solkraft Olav Peter Hypher, Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility, Communication and Corporate Social Responsibility Eivind Heløe, Manager, Public Affairs, Communication and Corporate Social Responsibility Torunn Solbraa Ramos, Chief Accounts Officer, Back Office Rune Øyan, Project Manager, Innovation and Growth Chr Fredrik Grøner, Project Manager, Southeast Europe Jørgen Olsen, Trainee, Windpower Svein Elgstøen, System Consultant, Trading and Continental Operations Morten de la Forest, Project Manager, Innovation and Growth André Soot, Hydrologist, Energy Disposal Nordic Countries Geir Magnar Brekke, Specialist, Innovation and Growth Asgeir PetersenØverleir, Hydrologist. Energy Disposal Nordic Countries Øystein Jerkø Kostøl, Trainee Windpower Johan Wergeland Brekke, Project Manager, Innovation and Growth Ellen Lidgren, Advisor, Innovation and Growth Gori Singh Bains, Junior Controller, Windpower Kjell Øivind Oulie, Analyst, Energy Disposal Nordic Countries Siv Helen Lillehauge, Skilled Worker Trainee Maintenance Gr. Høyanger Stian Ossi Næs, Apprentice Energy Operator Mauranger Marte Lind, Trainee, Energy Disposal Nordic Countries Maren Sisilie P Jone, Trainee, Region Northern Norway Hege Kvernmoen, Adviser, Production Stephan Skaane, Analyst, Front Office Henning Syvertsen, Section Manager, Production Cathrine Bull Wiik, Accounting Assistant, Accounting Dept. Hanne Guri Haavik Bøhmer, Specialist, Trading and Continental Operations Ellen Sofie Hunsbedt, Manager, Recruitment and Introduction, HR Lene B. Sveen, Personnel Adviser, Recruit ment and Introduction, HR Trond Nærheim, Apprentice – Industrial Mechanic, Maintenance Gr. Ulla-Førde Mek. Bjørn Moen, Skilled Worker – Mechanical. Maintenance Gr. Ulla-Førde Mek. Øystein Kostøl, Trainee Statkraft “I am one of the 11 new trainees employed in the autumn and am extremely satisfied with the first job I chose. Statkraft is big and solid, but at the same time the organisation is dynamic. The commitment to new, eco-friendly energy makes me enthusiastic about my job. Aleksander Marek Derdowski, Trainee, Production Harald Hole Dietrichson, Trainee, Production Jon Peder Gjesdal, Trainee, Trading and Continental Operations Petter Fosse Schreiner, Trainee, Trading and Continental Operations New names in Statkraft in the period 1 August to 31 October cal, Maintenance Gr. Vik Power Plant Group Nore Torgeir Funderud, Skilled Worker – Mechanical, Maintenance Group Mår Berge Østenstad, System Consultant, Trading and Continental Operations Stig Engell, 26 Skilled Worker Trainee, Power Plant Group Mår Jostein Eggerud, Executive Officer – Technical, Production Hugo Solbakken, Skilled Worker – Mechanical, Windpower John Eivind Jensen, Skilled Worker – Electrical, Maintenance Group Kobbelv Anette Neverdalen, Apprentice – Industrial Mechanic, Maintenance Group Tokke Morten Johan Vigdal, Skilled Worker – Maintenance Group Jostedal Hans Jakob Creutzig, Controller, Trading and Continental Operations Endre Jacobsen, Trainee, Production Christian Braarud Hauknes, Adviser, Trading and Continental Operations Marius Røthe Arnesen, Trainee, Energy Disposal Nordic Countries Sven Hystad, Works Engineer, Production and River Systems André Damslora, Adviser, Trading and Continental Operations Kai Vik Skjerdal, Apprentice, Energy Operator. Maintenance Group Eidfjord Arild Magne Gjerdevik, Power Plant Manager, Power Plant Group Aura Einar Kobro, Executive Officer, Technical, Technical and Maintenance, Region Eastern Norway Knut Fredrik Nes, Apprentice – Energy Operator, Maintenance Group, Jostedal Kenneth Rendal, Skilled Worker – Mechanical, Power Plant Group Glomfjord Stein Frode Tryti, Skilled Worker – Mechani- Kari Korsvolla, Executive Officer – Technical, Glomfjord Håvard Zahl Nordnes, Works Engineer Operations Centre Control Statkraft Markets Amsterdam Jo Deketelaere, Carbon Business Developer Hans Andreas Antonsen, Works Engineer, Region Northern Norway Lodewijk Antonides, ICT Coordinator, Katrine J Aarstein, Financial Consultant, Trading and Continental Operations Statkraft Treasury Centre Brüssel Jan-Olav Olsen, Skilled Worker Trainee, Maintenance Group Finnmark Ole Bull Romsdal, Skilled Worker – Electrical, Maintenance Group Finnmark Jan Tore Kvale, Skilled Worker Trainee, Maintenance Group Eidfjord Edvin Johannessen, Skilled Worker Trainee, Maintenance Group Mauranger Anne Wandevalle, Management assistant Statkraft sweden Kjell Stenklyft, General Manager Linda Åberg, HR Adviser, Production Gabriel Waaranperä, Technical Manager, Production Anders Sjödin, Technical Manager - River Systems, Production Mikael Hernqvist, Executive Officer, Production Joakim Lindström, Works Engineer, Production Statkraft Markets germany Milena Wolff, Senior Accountant Anne Joeken, Communication Manager Marc Mertes, Controller Anna Maria Meurer, Junior Portfolio Manager Thomas Rinke, Junior Originator Roger Svensson, Works Engineer, Production Anders Åberg, Works Engineer, Production Trondheim Energi Arne Eidsli, Group Manager, Dept. Waste Receival, District Heating Gunnar Hovland, CEO, Trondheim Energi Kraftsalg Bjarne Sæther, Power Trader, Trondheim Servet Akgün, Cross Border Trader Torbjørn Tuften, Specialist, Technical and Maintenance Central Norway Lilian Dale, Gas Operations Manager Tobias Müller, Accountant John Kristian Evjen, Project Engineer Nett Entreprenør Kristine Vatnan, Sanitation Worker, Bjerka Christel Harfeld, Accountant Tommy Gjølga, Consultant, Enita Henrik Karlsen, Skilled Worker Trainee, Jürgen Schenkewitz, Accountant Ingebright Bævre, Chartered Engineer, Kraft Linda Åberg, HR, Statkraft Sverige AB ”I began working for Statkraft in September and am proud to be part of developing the Swedish activities. This industry is exciting and my job satisfaction is tops!” Håvard Engjom, Construction Manager Leirfossene Power Plant Statkraft … … is the European leader in renewable energy. The group develops and produces hydropower, wind power, gas power, solar power and district heating, and is a significant player on the European energy exchanges. Through ownership in other companies, electricity and heating are delivered to about 600 000 customers in Norway. In 2007 Statkraft posted a profit after tax of EUR 827 million. The group has about 3 000 employees in 20 countries. The world needs clean energy. Statkraft works with this every day. people & power 35 the story The train’s best friend The power plant that delivers electricity to the entire Norwegian railway network is located in Øvre Eiker in Buskerud County. It is still in full operation with the same units as pictured! H akavik Power Plant was completed in 1922 following a construction period of four years. The power plant utilizes a waterfall of 389 metres from Øksenvannet to Eikeren. Four Pelton turbines of a total of seven megawatt are installed, of which two are still in use. Normal annual production is 21 GWh. “The plant delivers 16 2/3 Hz electricity and only the railway benefits from this. But converters have been placed around the country so that if there is a break in our supply the trains won’t stop due to this,” says Arne Grimnes who is in charge of operations at Hakavik. Grimnes has worked here since 1981, when there were 11 employees at Hakavik Power Plant alone. Grimnes has had sole Sam units e as in 1922 responsibility from 2002. “There’s enough to do. We contract firms for major work tasks, but I perform minor maintenance myself. There are also some lawns to keep track off,” he says. The power station is an imposing building and has been retained nearly identical to how it was built in the 1920s. The photo is probably from the early years after the power plant was completed. And perhaps the most remarkable feature: the units pictured are still in operation! “Apart from a few minor components, everything is as it was back then,” says Grimnes. “Most other plants have fully automated operations, but here we still have to start and stop the units manually.
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