renew Energy without limits September | October 2011
EDP RENEWABLES Culture united under one name online
24 hours in the life of... Fred Kelo, EDPR North America
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Nailia Dindarova Executive Manager of the Renewable Energy School
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September | October
Energia sem limites September | October 2011
Dynamic. Enthusiastic. Team-oriented. Fast-paced. Stimulating. Friendly. Evolving. These are just some of the words that employees around the globe use to describe the culture of EDP Renewables.
EDP RENEWABLES Culture united under one name online
24 hours in the life of... Fred Kelo, EDPR North America
On Target
Nailia Dindarova Executive Manager of the Renewable Energy School
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oncover
Learn more about where EDP has a presence.
The culture of EDPR
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Culture united under one name: EDP Renewables. Today, EDPR operates across three continents: Europe, North America and South America. The company employs more than 861 people of 26 nationalities across 34 offices worldwide.
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24 hours in the life of Fred Kelo
Meet Diego Prestes Lourenço, Wind Power Plant Operator.
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online
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Fred Kelo has a lot of things to get done, from gearbox repairs and end of warranty inspections to BOP repairs and taking care of the administrative side of the wind farm. While challenging, these tasks always give him something exciting to look forward to the next day.
ontarget Nailia Dindarova’s comments
EDPR’s most important news.
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Among other goals, the executive Manager of the Renewable Energy School wants to identify key competency gaps and weaknesses at the company level and develop programs that fill these gaps to help address business challenges across geographies.
onchange Joaquim Barbosa
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After working at the corporate level in sunny Lisbon and Madrid, Joaquim made the leap to Warsaw during winter. But he says the experience has been refreshing, and has given him exposure to EDPR´s operations in a way like never before.
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Asturias A LOVELY PLACE
Learn more about where EDP has a presence.
Oviedo Cathedral A visit to the cathedral in the historic center is mandatory
WALKING
“Everything” is the word Sandra uses to summarize what she likes about her city. Starting with “El Fontán,” one of the places that inspired Woody Allen, a famous American filmmaker who filmed there and spared no compliments for the Asturian capital. It is the place for a Sunday stroll. After the walk, there is nothing like a drink in the Casa Pachu,” a place with lots of charm, very good vermouth and calamari rings”. For a change of scenery, and if you have free time on a Saturday, Sandra recommends another example of classic “carboyana”* hospitality, La Paloma. “I usually go on Saturdays at noon, and since it
is near the center of town, I take the opportunity to walk down Uría street where all the fashion stores are located.” But Sandra does not overlook the rural charms of Oviedo and surrounding areas. To experience the outdoor she chooses skating or bicycling. The path that begins at Parque de Inverno and surrounds the Nalón is one of her favorites. And another thing: the mountains! Two steps away from Oviedo is the Serra de Aramo, which offers both winter and summer scenery for Sandra and her friends. “Asturias, in general, offers spectacular scenes of woods, mountains and beaches — I am very lucky to live in this natural paradise,” she says.
TO VISIT
Sandra recommends to sta rt your tour in the “old town” of Oviedo, visiting the Cathedral, the Ayuntamie nto Plaza, and surrounding areas. Then con tinue to Naranco, a mountain outside of Oviedo, to see the ancient pre-Roman architectural jewels: the churches of San ta Maria del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo. Finally, you can end the tour at the breathtaking El Cristo del Naranco, a tow ering statue of Jesus Christ that offers spe ctacular views of the city.
* Oviedo’s inhabitants, the Ovetenses, are also known as “Carbayones” (oaks) due to a legendary oak that was felled in the twentieth century because it was diseased and at risk of tipping over. A plaque now marks the location where it used to stand.
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Oviedo (in Asturian, Uviéu) is the capital of Astúrias, comprising a total area of 186.65 km² and 220,000 inhabitants.
TASTINGS
Sandra is from Oviedo, but has cosmopolitan tastes: she loves Japanese food. One of her favorite restaurants is De Labra. “They have a very diverse menu, it was the first teppanyaki place in Oviedo.” For dessert, Sandra recommends chocolate micuit and some of the house cocktail specialties. “My favorite is the red fruit caipirinha.” But this economist also has further advice on flavors: “I love the La Peral cheese croquettes from the Ca Suso Restaurant that you eat in one bite and melt in your mouth.” To have a cider and savor the fruits of the Cantabrian Sea she suggests Casa Juan Carlos.
SANDRA ABLANEDO LOBATO SANDRA ABLANEDO, WHO IS OUTGOING AND FULL OF CONTAGIOUS ENERGY, NEVER TIRES OF TALKING UP HER CITY: OVIEDO. SHE HAS WORKED AS AN ECONOMIST AT HC ENERGIA FOR 12 YEARS. IN JANUARY, SHE JOINED THE B2C MARKETING AND SALES DEPARTMENT.
WHERE TO STAY
Hotel Occidental La Reconquista is loc ated within the Hospita l do Principiado of Asturias complex, dating fro m the 18th century and is located in the ce nter of Oviedo, in a residential and bu siness area. It wa s founded in 1973, and here some of the most important events of the region took place. The Pri nce of Asturias, and the King and Queen of Spain are guests of hono ur at the hotel ev ery year in October. Many other personalities from the world of science, lite rature, arts and po litics also use this hotel for their stay in the region.
GEOGRAPHICAL DATA: REGION: Asturias CAPITAL: Oviedo (in Asturian, Uviéu) POPULATION: 1,076,896
EDP IN ASTURIAS Employees: 1,164 Hydraulic Power centrals: 5
Miranda, Narcea and Navia)
Thermal Power centrals:
Ribera 3, Aboño 1 and Aboño 2)
4 (Soto Ribera 2, Soto
Combined Cycle plants: 2
Soto Ribera 5)
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(Soto Ribera 4 and
Cogeneration plants: 6 (Sidergas, Tudela, Sevares, Bioastur, Hospitales and Fotovoltaicas)
La Paloma
town drink the bes t vermouth in In this restaurant you can
(Tones, Proaza,
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oncover EDP Renewables, culture united under one name Dynamic. Enthusiastic. Team-oriented. Fast-paced. Stimulating. Friendly. Evolving. These are just some of the words that employees around the globe use to describe the culture of EDP Renewables (EDPR).
s one employee said, “EDPR is the result of a lively wedding: a diverse and international pool of companies acquired by a mature national energy player.” It´s clear that even before EDPR existed as a united entity, the seeds of its culture had been planted. The influence of those entrepreneurial-minded businesses that created the foundation of EDPR clearly shows in the company´s spirit. Now the company has combined and evolved into a major global force in the wind energy industry, but it still holds the values that led to its initial success.
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Today, EDPR operates across three continents: Europe, North America and South America. The company employs more than 861* people of 26* nationalities across 34 offices worldwide. EDPR reached a symbolic moment when all of its operations were united under a common brand. Employees across the globe were asked for feedback on how they would define the company culture that the united brand now represents. The following is a summary of the most common themes that arose.
*August 2011
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DYNAMIC AND FAST-PACED EDPR is a company that embraces change. Employees aren´t afraid to leave their comfort zone to find better ways of doing things. In fact, they are continually seeking opportunities to improve processes. According to our employees, this is true in EDPR offices worldwide. Project Manager Adriana Rocha Ferreira Miguel in Sao Paulo, Brazil, says that´s a result of the nature of our industry. The competition we face daily “puts us in a very dynamic work environment, since we must continually make improvements in several areas such as technology, regulation, and the environment.” Regulatory Reporting Associate Mary Sladecek, from EDPR North America
headquarters in Houston, Texas, says at EDPR we are especially equipped for change. “The EDPR culture is highly energized. We are always moving forward, although we switch gears and apply our efforts in a different direction sometimes. New methods are established and we build on previous lessons. Other energy companies often have procedures and methods that don´t evolve so easily.” Across the globe in Madrid, Executive Director of Business Initiatives Carmelo Scalone agrees. “Practices and assumptions are continuously challenged and discussed in order to react to the changing market environment.”
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OPEN AND FRIENDLY “EDPR culture provides the best work environment I’ve ever worked in. I love coming to work every day and working interdepartmentally on projects. This creates the best solutions possible,” says Maintenance Planner Austin Auflick from Houston, TX, U.S. Many employees commented positively on the “open office” concept that is in use in the U.S. headquarters in Houston. There, managers sit alongside employees in one large room without cubicle walls. “As a result, communication flows freely throughout the office. It is very easy to get your neighbors attention and exchange information about projects, issues, or general topics,” says Internal Controls Associate Henry Cisneros in Houston, TX, US. In Madrid, employees are a bit more spread out, but the office still has
an open feel, says portuguese Sérgio Arraiolos, Consolidation Associate, in Madrid. “Everyone is concentrated in nearby buildings. It’s easy to meet when you need to get something done quickly face-to-face,” he says. Across offices in Europe, the U.S. and Brazil, employees echoed that the work environment is open and friendly. “The atmosphere is relaxed which is an enormous help to the job,” says Carlos Suárez, Project Manager (DPTO I&C), Oviedo, Spain. In field offices, employees reported extremely close-knit groups. “When you are all in one room together over 40 hours each week, how else could we be but close,” says Operations Administrator Michelle Graham from Meridian Way Wind Farm Operations and Maintenance Facility in Concordia,
Kansas. “I am pretty sure we know more about each other than our own family members do.” Even new employees say they´ve been welcomed with open arms into the EDPR family. One is Daniel Garcia, originally from Spain, who recently started working as an Asset Manager for France and Belgium. “I really have the chance to be surrounded by great and very professional people at work. Moving to Paris was a difficult challenge for me, but thanks to my coworkers things are much easier than I expected,” he says. “In many cases, we’ve crossed that line that separates personal and professional life which is great! We share morning coffees, lunch time all together and why not? We go out sometimes to the cinema and even holidays. We really get along.”
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Culture Quiz EDPR employees have formed tight-knit groups in our offices around the globe. Can you guess which office traditions and activities have taken place in which offices? Take the quiz – maybe it can serve as inspiration for your next office outing! 1. “On the anniversary of each person´s hire date (their “workversary”), the person whose anniversary it is brings in treats for the office and expresses their appreciation for their fellow coworkers and the opportunity to work here.” 2. “ We often have lunches together. In July, I offered my home for everyone from the office to share a moment of relaxation. We had fondue accompanied by fine wines, which was a very pleasant way to end a Friday.” 3. “ We usually drink a beer together the Friday afternoon before leaving for the weekend.” 4. “ The most frequent “office tradition” is to organize padel matches.” 5. “My colleagues are GroupOn gurus. They find every cheap, social activity that the team can participate in and do a great job of getting us all involved!” 6. “ We we have the tradition of celebrating birthdays, ‘name days’, holidays with small glass of good wine.” 7. “ We have a barbeque with our contracted service team every couple months and do other activities with them such as the
INTERNATIONAL With its rapid growth, EDPR now does business around the globe. The internationalism has impacted the work culture, even in offices that don´t have much interaction with staff in other countries. Administrative Assistant Milena Vladimirova Ilieva, from EDPR headquarters in Madrid, says the highly international environment she works in makes the work more interesting, and also exposes employees to different languages and cultures. “It offers opportunities for promotions and crossplatform transfers, which I personally find to be a huge benefit,” says Milena, who is originally from Bulgaria. “As an immigrant, I felt very comfortable coming to Spain and working for an international company like EDPR where I am just another member of the team and don´t have to worry about being treated differently or being discriminated against.” Maintenance Planner Austin Auflick in Houston, Texas, says EDPR is a melting pot of cultures and experiences. “EDPR hires the best, and when you get the best from all over, you get the best workplace culture,” he says.
annual pumpkin carving competition.” 8. “ Every Friday we meet at a bar near the office for a few beers before starting the weekend.” Options: A. Houston, Texas, United States. B. Madrid, Spain. C. Concordia, Kansas, United States. D. Warsaw, Poland. E. France and Belgium, Paris, France. F. Portland, Oregon, United States. G. Sao Paulo, Brazil. H. Seville, Spain.
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PRINCIPLED Many employees say they are proud to work for a company whose mission is to create clean, renewable energy. That fact that the work we do has a direct impact on our environment and society adds passion to the work environment. “I think we all feel good about working for a company that participates in creating a cleaner world,” says Daniel Garcia, Asset Manager for France and Belgium, Paris. Mary Sladecek says she enjoys working with those who share her values. “The roles attract individuals that truly feel a concern for the environment,” she says. “We are looking for ways to make the planet healthier. It is a comfort to know EDPR employees in other countries are also likely of the same mindset.” Project Developer Wendy Kingsland from Albany, New York, says she´s also proud to make an impact on the lives of landowners. What makes EDPR stand out from other wind energy companies is “the extra mile that we go to work things out with a landowner and the positive life changing impacts we have in their lives.” Canada Project Manager Suzi Asmus says that EDPR´s principled way of doing business is the most important aspect of the company culture for her. “People are honest, transparent, compassionate, and truly believe in what we are accomplishing,” she says. Construction Project Manager Andrés Rotllán from Seville, Spain, says that EDPR´s principles also show through in the way it treats employees. “EDPR has a culture of continuously improve welfare and family conciliation. The company also cares about the safety and health of their employees and contractors and respect for the environment.” Business manager Natalia Martín Brieskor from Madrid agreed. “I think EDPR cares about people more than other companies I’ve worked with before.”
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EVOLVING Since EDPR was formed through the merger of several start-up companies, its culture is a merger of many cultures. Many employees noted that the culture continues to evolve as the company becomes more integrated. Julien Marie, wind farm supervisor in Belgium, summed it up well: “EDPR is a young company that has grown quickly, yet tries as much as possible to keep the energy of a little company with the benefits of an international group.” Many employees say that, despite its size these days, EDPR has managed to maintain a start-up feel. “I´ve worked for larger corporations and I definitely feel what I do has a bigger impact here,” says Operations Excellence Associate Simara James in Houston. Although, many also noted a shift toward more streamlined processes. Project Manager Colin Meskell from Portland, Oregon, says the change was especially noticeable in the U.S. “While we cannot operate as the small company that we were, some of the ‘family-feel’ has been stripped away for a more professional corporate culture.” Simara says that “takes away some of the start-up feel, but hopefully will keep us competitive.” France Country Manager Frederic Lanoe says he´s also noticed a shift: the company has moved from startup mode and now is working to build a leadership position in several of its markets. “The challenge is to never forget that reactivity and local business sensitivity is still the recipe for success in this immature industry of renewables,” he says.
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Culture Quiz Answers: 1. F. Portland, Oregon, United States. 2. G. Sao Paulo, Brazil. 3. E. France and Belgium, Paris, France. 4. B. Madrid, Spain. 5. A. Houston, Texas, United States. 6. D. Warsaw, Poland. 7. C. Concordia, Kansas, United States. 8. H. Seville, Spain. edponrenew 11
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online 24 hours in th e l i f e o f . . .
24 hours
For EDP Renewables North America Operations Manager Fred Kelo no two days are the same for him at work. In his unique role, Fred manages contracts, oversees the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and maintains a reliable Balance of Plant (BOP) for Top Crop Wind Farm in Dwight, Illinois. He is also responsible for driving efficiency and safety initiatives for the site. Fred finds his role very rewarding. He enjoys seeing the wind farm run well and brainstorming ideas of how to make the site run better. His position requires a great deal of troubleshooting and problem solving and gains inspiration from the people he works with on a daily basis. “The culture at EDPR is outstanding,” says Fred. “The people I work with are all top notch and care a great deal about both the company and ensuring that the site runs well.” Joining EDPR in 2008, Fred has also helped manage Twin Groves Wind Farm and Rail Splitter Wind Farm before taking over Top Crop Wind Farm. This experience helped him prepare for the unique challenges of dealing with the general public. When Fred is not working, he spends time with his family and his favorite hobbies include: fast cars, canoeing, camping, wood working, and enjoying the short summers!
Fred Kelo
Operations Manager Top Crop Wind Farm EDP Renewables North America 12 edponrenew
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Some days it can be challenging to complete everything Fred Kelo wants to accomplish, from gearbox repairs, end of warranty inspections, BOP repairs to taking care of the administrative part of the wind farm. But this challenge always gives him something exciting to look forward to the next day.
6h45
7 h30
8h00
DRIVING TO WORK Fred gets to work early every day.
MORNING MEETING Starting the morning and discussing tasks with site staff.
MANAGING THE OEM Going through the plan of day with GE; the wind farm’s turbine supplier.
9h00
1 0h00
12h00
MANAGING THE WIND FARM Reviewing faulted turbines and developing action plans.
INSPECTION Preparing to conduct a monthly substation inspection.
CONFERENCE CALL Participating in a regional conference call.
15 h 0 0
1 5h30
17h30
SHUT DOWN Shutting down a turbine for quality and control inspection.
CLIMB Climbing a turbine for quality and control inspection.
END OF DAY Another productive day at the office.
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onpeople Get to know your colleagues better
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Diego Prestes Lourenço WIND POWER PLANT OPERATOR
fter his first nine months at the company, 26-yearold Diego Prestes Lourenço already has major responsibilities as part of the EDP Renováveis team in Brazil. Born in Cachoeirinha, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Diego is a Wind Power Plant Operator at the Tramandaí Wind Farm on the state’s so uthern coast. The recently completed wind farm began operating in May 2011 with an installed capacity of 70 MW and estimated production of 211,437 MWh per year, enough to supply a city of 200,000 people. From the window of his house, Diego has a privileged view of 31 wind turbines reaching nearly 100 meters high with 40-meter blades that embrace the country’s southerly winds. “The wind farm is the first of its kind in the region. I am happy and proud to be part of this magnificent clean energy venture.” This is not his first experience in the energy sector. Diego previously worked in the hydroelectricity sector in the same state. He points out that the two generation sources have vastly different operations. “The wind farm is practically automatic, unlike the power plant, which involved more interaction with equipment for maintenance and verifications.” Every morning, Diego starts his work by checking the weather conditions for the upcoming days, and then sends the next day’s power generation forecast to the National Systems Operator. “Weather conditions – particularly wind – are essential to the wind farm’s power production process.” Scheduled windmill maintenance and equipment inspections are also part of the routine. Diego recalls the momentous occasion when the wind farm first went online. “After months of non-stop work, testing and analysis, the start of operations represented a moment of triumph, successful efforts and teamwork.” Now 100% operational, the wind farm has two employees from EDP Renováveis Brasil and a rotation of outsourced teams and operators that manage it. Focused on the company’s growth and his own professional development, Diego is finishing up his studies in Information Technology and is already signed up for new courses in electrical engineering. As far as EDPR’s future, he believes that the company is a strong player in the country’s wind energy market.
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ontop Tips for every d a y u s e
How to apply Lean on a daily basis? Although it is based on a rigorous methodology, its success is based on the incorporation of Lean activities in employees’ daily lives, creating a true Lean Attitude.
What Does Lean Mean? The word. Adjective 1 (person) who has no superfluous fat; skinny. 2 (meat) with little fat. The methodology. Lean Thinking - A way of acting, an organizational philosophy, delivering what the customer wants, whenever the customer wants it with minimal waste. The program. Lean Programs - a continuous improvement program, based on Lean methodology. For example, EDP Way’s Lean II.
Where does this methodology apply? According to Taiichi Ohno and Shingo Singo, tackling organizational waste, is divided into seven categories: 1. overproduction 2. waiting times 3. unnecessary transportation 4. over-processing 5. excess inventory 6. flaws 7. unnecessary work + not using the potential of active participants in the process
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on top
Applying this methodology helps to: 1. Uncover hidden or latent problems
2. Analyze the causes of problems, finding their root causes
“Don’t look with your eyes, go look with your feet. Don’t think with you head, think with your hands.” Taiichi Ohno
3. Solve problems by combining practices and routines, making the process visible
Therefore, we use analysis and organizational culture tools, such as: 5 W - ask ‘why’ several times until you find the root cause of the problem M 4 – identify the root cause of the problem in terms of the method, material, person and machine SMED - identify and optimize the activities of internal and external processes Tool-Time - identify added value, incidental activities and waste Value Stream Mapping - maps and identifies value in our processes Kanben – a simple and visual stock management system Poke yoke – error-detection mechanisms A3 Analysis – systemize the analysis of a problem in a simple way with an A3 sheet.
The 5 ‘S’ Visual Management Process
“The most dangerous kind of waste is the one we do not recognize” Shigeo Shingo
1. Seiri - Tidiness 2. Seiton - Orderliness 3. Seisou - Cleanliness 4. Seiketsu - Standardization 5. Shitsuke - Discipline
To know more about Lean go to EDP Group LEAN.EDP.PT edponrenew 17
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Nailia Dindarova 33 years old Double nationality (Russian and Belgium) Nailia is located at the Madrid Headquarters to launch the Renewable Energy School.
NAILIA DINDAROVA, Executive Manager of the Renewable Energy School
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Identify key competency gaps and weaknesses at the company level and develop programs that fill these gaps to help address business challenges across geographies
Bring together experts from different platforms to share knowledge and experience in order to build high-quality courses together
Nailia Dindarova, executive manager of EDPR´s new Renewable Energy School, put in a lot of preparation to be sure that the School, which launched in September, would meet the company´s objectives. With the ambition of going beyond pure training, the School has emerged as a true platform for sharing knowledge, experience and best practices. Summer months were busy for those involved in the preparation of the Pilot Courses that are being held this autumn. Nailia has been working with Luis Adão da Fonseca, Director
Take into account the needs of a very diverse audience and ensure the School’s curriculum is relevant and provides an added value
of the Renewable Energy School, in order to find the best ways to identify and showcase best practices in key business areas, as well as design courses that are truly valuable for employees. Nailia says the project has had to overcome some key challenges, such as reaching a common understanding of core concepts across different countries, building consensus around the “EDPR way of working,” and motivating people to help develop courses on top of their core activities. However, the ambitious effort is paying off.
Three courses will be held before the end of this year, including “Introduction to Electricity Generation”, “Wind Energy Fundamentals”, and “Lifecycle Project Ownership.” The courses were designed through close collaboration between the European, North American and Corporate Platforms and will be delivered in two locations: Madrid and Houston. The official launch of the School coincided with the delivery of the first course “Introduction to Electricity Generation”, which took place in Madrid on the 29th of September.
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onchange Employees with the courage to change
JOAQUIM BARBOSA Age: 33 Head of Financial Planning, Finance & Tax EDPR Poland
hen Joaquim Barbosa arrived in Warsaw, Poland in March it was a bit of a shock. “I thought it´s -15 degrees and I don´t understand a word of what anyone´s saying, my God what am I doing here?” he laughed. But as time went on, Joaquim quickly began building relationships and feeling comfortable in his new home – with a little help from Google Translate, which he now is in the habit of using a few times a day. Soon, he remembered why he left the Iberian Peninsula: to take on a new professional challenge in a rapidly growing market. Joaquim says the experience has been very enriching for his career, which began with
W
“Getting everyone on the same page can sometimes be difficult, but it is also a great learning experience.” Of course, Joaquim says there are things he misses about Spain and Portugal. “Mostly the friends I was fortunate to make and the top notch professionals I had the privilege of working with,” he said. “Although, I must confess that I also miss the Spanish ‘movida’, nightlife and tapas.” Joaquim said he is grateful for the opportunity to work abroad, which is not only personally rewarding, but also great for EDPR. “When a company is present in 11 countries, the way of doing things is always going to be different. Working across platforms
Starting fresh in Poland AFTER WORKING AT THE CORPORATE LEVEL IN SUNNY LISBON AND MADRID, JOAQUIM MADE THE LEAP TO WARSAW DURING WINTER. BUT HE SAYS THE EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN REFRESHING, AND HAS GIVEN HIM EXPOSURE TO EDPR´S OPERATIONS IN A WAY LIKE NEVER BEFORE. EDPR before the company even officially existed. “I think I can say I saw the birth of EDPR since I worked at EDP headquarters in Lisbon and I had the fantastic opportunity to be part of the IPO process,” he said. He then moved to Madrid in 2008 to work in EDPR´s Corporate Financial Planning Department, and today is working directly with project managers as the head of financial planning, finance and tax in Poland. “My journey in the EDP Group has constantly brought me closer to the business,” he said. Joaquim said he has learned a lot from the new experience already. “Although it has only been a short time since I moved here, I´ve already realized that working with people from different cultures and business styles requires more flexibility,” he said.
allows for knowledge transfer and maximizes the opportunity to adopt best practices. Being a true multi-national company means more than just financial consolidation of offices scattered around the world,” he said. Joaquim believes people in those offices should share the same mission, vision and values, and providing opportunities for crossplatform transfers is one tool that helps accomplish that goal. Joaquim says he highly recommends that others seize the opportunity to work abroad. And, for those who are already abroad “I would say to make sure to take advantage of the opportunity you have: get to know the spirit, know-how, experience and history of your new work environment, which will be an asset wherever you are in the future.”
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“I´ve already realized that working with people from different cultures and business styles requires more flexibility. Getting everyone on the same page can sometimes be difficult, but it is also a great learning experience.”
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ontrack World events EDPR
Tennessee Valley Authority and EDPR NA sign 19-year PPA
DPR NA signed a 19-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the full 100.65 megawatts (MW) of Lost Lakes Wind Farm with Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). The PPA will start January 2012. Lost Lakes Wind Farm is located in northwest Iowa on agricultural and pasture land in Dickinson County. EDPR NA began development of Lost Lakes Wind Farm in 2001. It was constructed and brought online in December 2009. The origination team worked diligently on developing the complex PPA with TVA. In 2010, two PPAs were signed for Pioneer Prairie I Wind Farm. The first 115 MWs was signed as
E
a pseudo-tie into the TVA control area. TVA took on all of the transmission and congestion risk to move the power from Iowa to their territory. An additional 83 MWs was signed as a redelivery structure into TVA. Earlier this year, the origination team discovered 115 MWs of long-term transmission from Iowa to the TVA service territory was underutilized. The origination team, led by Chief Commercial Officer Steve Irvin and Origination Manager Heather Wong, renegotiated the 115 MW Pioneer Prairie contract. Renegotiation of the Pioneer Prairie I Wind Farm PPA opened up the opportunity to negotiate a PPA for Lost Lakes Wind Farm.
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EDPR Renewables included in FTSE4Good index EDPR has entered the FTSE4Good index following the benchmark’s September review. The FTSE4Good is an investment stock market index that aggregates top performing companies in sustainability and corporate social responsibility. EDP Renewables, which ranks ninth on the FTSE4GOOD by market cap, is the only energy sector company out of the 22 new members which were included in the index on Friday September 16, 2011. Since its creation in 2001, the FTSE4Good has sought to help responsible investors to identify and invest in companies that meet globally recognised corporate responsibility standards, to provide asset managers with a responsible investment benchmark and a tool for responsible investment products and to contribute to the development of responsible
business practices around the world. The FTSE4Good carries out semi-annual reviews in March and September. To qualify for inclusion in the FTSE4Good Index Series, companies must be in the FTSE All World Developed Index. Eligible companies must meet criteria requirements in five areas: working towards environmental sustainability, upholding and supporting universal human rights, ensuring good supply chain labour standards, countering bribery and mitigating and adapting to climate change. Ana Maria Fernandes, CEO of EDP Renewables, said: “To be included in the FTSE4GOOD is, without a doubt, an excellent recognition of the work performed year after year by everyone in the company to position EDP Renewables as a global leader in this area.”
EDPR certificated as a FamilyResponsible Employer in Spain
EDPR inaugurated a new 70 MW wind farm in Korsze, Poland EDPR inaugurated a new wind farm in Korsze, Warmiñsko-Mazurskie Province in Poland on July 28, 2011. An inauguration event included a ribbon cutting by the mayor of Korsze, educational presentations about EDPR and wind energy, as well as a tour to show how a wind turbine works. The new wind farm is EDPR´s second in the region. The first is located in Margonin in Wielkopolskie Province. Construction of the Korsze
wind farm was completed two phases. First, 24 wind turbines, each 2 MW, were erected. Then 11 more units of similar capacity were built during the second phase. The investment in Korsze will help fulfill Poland’s obligations to the EU in terms of the development of renewable energy resources. It will also increase the country’s energy security and reduce harmful polution such as SO2, NOX and dust.
EDPR is now a certified Family-Responsible Employer (Empresa Familiarmente Responsable) by the MásFamilia Foundation, thanks to the involvement of the entire company and the strong efforts of managers of our Conciliation initiatives. This certification reinforces the commitment EDPR has to the balance between its employees’ professional and personal lives, which the company considers an important priority in order to retain and attract the best workforce. The Másfamilia Foundation has the mission to enhance and monitor the quality of life and social cohesion of families. Several requirements came along with the certification, and obtaining it required EDPR to implement new processes, as well conduct an external audit. The company stood out for its effectiveness in terms of quality work, scheduling flexibility, family support and equal opportunities, as well as its ambitious policy of continuous improvement. “This certification lets us be proud of our company and above all it gives us the responsability to keep improving. This is not the end point but the starting point, and therefore there is more work to be done”, says Mayra Sanz of Human Resources who is responsable for the project.
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EDP RENEWABLES INAUGURATES TWO WIND FARMS IN FRANCE
EDPR employees work as volunteers with children in Spain EDPR hosted educational workshops for 70 at-risk children who participated in an urban summer camp near Madrid. Employees helped children from low-income households between ages 4 and 14 learn about wind energy technology, while improving their teamwork and social skills at the same time. “The time we spent with the kids at SED was as beneficial for us as it was for them,” said Eduardo Nieto, one of the volunteers from EDPR. “They reminded us how important it is to be able to put on a smile during hard times, as well as having the openness to meet and give a chance to new people, values we often forget.” The EDPR workshop was just one activity during the camp, which lasted from July 4-14. It was organized by non-profit organizations SED and the Espiral Loranca Association. Both work to improve the social environment of youth who are at-risk or in situations of need. The aim of the camp was to create fun learning experiences for the children. The urban summer camp promoted working in groups, using imagination and creativity, cultural awareness, personal hygiene, the importance of reading, among other important topics.
The wind farms in Liniez – with a capacity of 15 MW – and Vatan – with 18 MW – are located in the region of Indre, in Central France. The combined annual output of these two wind farms will be enough to supply electricity for 33,000 people, more than the population of Vierzon, located a few miles away. Both wind farms are equipped with Alstom wind power technology. The inaugurations occurred in September and were attended by Frédéric Lanoë, Managing Director of EDPR France and Belgium, and Jérôme Pécresse, Executive Vice President of Alstom and President of the French company’s Renewable Power Division. João Paulo Costeira, Chief Operating Officer for EDP Renewables in Europe, said: “The Liniez and Vatan wind farms, equipped with Alstom technology, show our commitment to a
sustainable French wind power sector in collaboration with the country’s major industrial players. We are delighted to have contributed to the success of the 3 MW model.” EDPR currently operates 25 wind farms in France with a total installed capacity of 284 MW, making it the fourth largest wind power operator in the country. The group has a project portfolio in France totaling 586 MW.
+ Rui Teixeira on Bloomberg EDP Renewables Chief Financial Officer Rui Teixeira was interviewed by Owen Thomas on Bloomberg Television’s “On the Move.” Rui Teixeira spoke about the outlook and demand for the renewable energy industry in Europe and EDPR’s financing opportunities.
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Employee Volunteer Program Heats Up This Summer
The Employee Volunteer Program (EVP) was in full force this summer. Employees in EDPR North America’s corporate office, in Houston, Texas, participated in a food drive, volunteered at the Houston Food Bank, and spent a Saturday constructing walls for Habitat for Humanity. The Houston Food Bank is the largest source of food for hunger relief charities in 18 southeast Texas counties. A network of nearly 500 food pantries, soup kitchens, senior centers and other agencies, feeding a total of 137,000
people each week, provides more than 65 million pounds of food and prepared meals annually. The Houston Food Bank, founded in 1982, is a certified member of Feeding America, the nation’s food bank network. The organization plans to grow to an annual. In August, Houston-based employees were offered the opportunity to work with Habitat for Humanity (“Habitat”). Habitat is a non-profit organization providing simple, decent, and affordable homes to low-income families around the world. The program allows new homeowners to work with volunteers on building or rehabilitating their home under trained supervision. Eight employees spent one day building walls for a new Habitat homeowner in Houston, Texas. “The Habitat for Humanity volunteer event was a great opportunity to socialize with colleagues outside the office, said Matt Hutchinson, Performance Analysis Associate. “We were all surprised by how much sweat goes into the wall sections.”
THE GREAT LAKES REGION
Gives Back to the Community EDPR North America employees in the Great Lakes Region have started their own regional volunteer program utilizing the Volunteer Policy and tips from the Employee Volunteer Program (EVP). Since May 2011, employees have participated in monthly volunteer events. “Most of us in the Indianapolis office did not have previous volunteering activities we participated in,” said Project Developer Sarah Distelrath. “We reached out to the Bloomington office and began signing up with local organizations trying to piggyback on the EVP events promoted in Houston.” Regional employees have volunteered at various organizations including Wheeler Mission, Second Helpings, and Habitat for Humanity. In August, Distelrath worked side by side with Project Developer Brian Sullivan renovating an abandoned home for Habitat for Humanity. “This was first time I’ve participated in a Habitat project,” said Sullivan. “It’s been something that I’ve had on my mind for several years. This program was exactly
the encouragement I needed to actually pick up a hammer and help someone.” The group of 11 volunteers have also served dinner to the homeless, packaged food baskets for delivery to soup kitchens, and worked in the Habitat for Humanity ReStore.
Iowa State Congressman Visits Pioneer Prairie Wind Farm
Congressman Bruce Braley (DIA) toured EDPR NA’s Pioneer Prairie Wind Farm on August 18th. Led by Project Manager Brenna Gunderson and Operations Manager Justin Van Beusekom, Congressman Braley attended a safety briefing before touring the operations building, learning about the SCADA system, and climbing a tower. “As a proponent of wind energy in the state of Iowa, Bruce wanted the opportunity to visit a wind farm and climb a tower,” said Project Manager Brenna Gunderson. “It was a great opportunity to engage in discussions about extending the production tax credit (PTC) and transmission cost allocations.” In addition to touring the facility and climbing a tower, Congressman Braley allowed time for local press interviews and posted a photo to his Facebook page. The caption below the photo states “On top of the world…” and one Iowan fan commented “proud to be from Iowa everytime I drive past a wind farm.” Pioneer Prairie Wind Farm is located in northern Iowa along the Minnesota State line. The project has an installed capacity of 300.3 megawatts (MW) – enough to power more than 83,000 average Iowa homes with clean energy.
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