5 minute read
Sonnedix
Axel Thiemman, CEO, Sonnedix
The Sun is Rising
Sonnedix is on a mission to build a bright future for the planet and its people by harnessing the power of the sun. At the heart of this purpose-driven enterprise is its finely tuned culture and its ESG responsibilities. Laura Watling learns more from passionate CEO, Axel Thiemann.
Sonnedix is a global solar Independent Power Producer (IPP). The business develops, builds, finances, owns, and operates solar power plants across OECD countries.
The business operates in France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Poland, Japan, Chile, the UK and the US. “We currently have 1.8 gigawatts operational, 400 megawatts under construction and 5 gigawatts that will go into production over the next 3 years,” shared Mr Thiemann.
To equate these numbers to something physical, in 2021 the electricity that Sonnedix produced was enough to provide electricity to around 650,000 households. “
When we started, solar energy was still a niche market... Green energy is now becoming the provider of choice, the most efficient and cost effective.
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“With the expansion to 7GW, Sonnedix will be able to supply more than 2.6 million households with solar driven electricity,” said Mr Thiemann.
Established in 2009, Sonnedix is still a relatively young business in an equally young sector of a mature market.
“When we started, solar energy was still a niche market, a lot of which was run on subsidies. Green energy is now becoming the provider of choice, the most efficient and cost effective,” said Mr Thiemann.
However, in 2021, still less than 4% of energy generated was from solar power. “There is definitely a growth opportunity in this arena,” he said.
Sonnedix currently has 424 projects in operation, construction or development, developed, financed, constructed and operated by a dedicated and engaged team of over 430 worldwide.
Sonnedix
Team over gigawatts
Its mission is at its heart, explained CEO, Mr Thiemann. “All of our team members at Sonnedix are committed to our purpose. Any friction can be overcome by returning to our mutual purpose”.
As well as providing clean, low cost and efficient energy to the globe, it is important to Sonnedix that it reflects the societies in which it works. A key feature of the business’ strategy is employing local people into its plants, from the build stage right through to management, operations and maintenance.
“Our local team members have far better knowledge on the land in which they are working, as well as the social and economic impact,” Mr Thiemann said, “It’s important that we give back to the people and the economy of the region where we build the plant”.
The business is driven by its “One Team” ethos.
“You can have all the equipment in the world, but what brings it to life is the people,” shared Mr Thiemann, “it’s something we felt particularly during the pandemic - take care of the team, and the team will take care of the business”.
The employees of Sonnedix all have the opportunity to undertake personal development and career opportunities throughout the business.
A focus now is to integrate the team members who joined during the pandemic, which makes up close to half of Sonnedix’s team.
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Part of the Sonnedix team
Energy Feature
Sonnedix site, Tanabu, Japan
Sonnedix
A 5-star solar leader
It’s no surprise that Sonnedix, a business committed to combating climate change, has a powerful ESG impact policy.
It’s important to Sonnedix that it protects, enhances, and cares for the environments in which it operates. In 2021 alone, Sonnedix solar power plants helped to remove the equivalent of around 180,000 cars worth of CO2.
Meanwhile, it aims to support social economic development, job opportunities and essential provisions in those regions. It’s vital to the business that it demonstrates diversity and strives to be the most inclusive business in the market.
Over the last few years Sonnedix has driven efforts to improve its gender balance. As such it has increased from 30% females in the business in 2019, to 38% in 2020, earning itself a Solar Gender Award.
The “-isations”
Next on the agenda for Sonnedix are two key “-isations” - hybridisation and digitisation. As well as deepening its presence in the areas it is alread present and expanding into new areas, Sonnedix will focus on how to make the energy market more self-sufficient in Europe. Of course, one of the challenges of solar power is harnessing the sunshine. Sonnedix is developing ways to hybridise energy capture from the sun and wind as well as the deployment of storage.
The business is also making significant investment in digital transformation. “We are heavily investing in AI and data,” explained Mr Thiemann, “one of our goals is to be able to forecast maintenance before it is required, and schedule downtime in the most convenient time for the end customer”. “Our strategic journey is customer-led, focussing on how we can fulfil our customer’s needs,” said Mr Thiemann.
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The time is now
It feels like now couldn’t be a better time for a business whose vision is to combat climate change via solar power. The sector is in public favour and more and more investment opportunities are being created by governments globally.
Sonnedix is forming long-term relationships with strategic partners and suppliers alike.
“Solar energy is a long-term investment, and we are able to demonstrate this to landowners, equipment suppliers, lenders and our team,” said Mr Thiemann, “Not only are we offering long-term investment opportunities, we are also giving longterm career paths to local people”.
Sonnedix is a stable, well-funded and diversified player in the field, being majority=owned by institutional investors advised by J. P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. The business is currently in a phase of aggressive growth and will be seeking opportunities in acquisition and partnerships.
www.sonnedix.com
Sonnedix
Sonnedix site, Oita, Japan
2 SERIES ACTIVE TOURER BORN ELECTRIC
