We consider it important that we scale up our work on the energy system in a safe manner. For example, we intend to outsource more work to contractors. And we also plan to outsource the work preparation to them. To this end, we have tried out new ways of working with contractors on a small scale in 2023 and we ran pilots in various areas in the Netherlands. With the programme Product Growth, that we launched in 2023, we developed a national safety framework and training programmes for employees and contractors based on our experience within the pilot projects.
Working voltage-free and gas-free
In order to reduce safety risks, Enexis aims to carry out more work voltage-free and gas-free. We consider this even more important in this time of enormous product growth and shortages on the labour market. An additional advantage is that new less experience employees can start working in the grid sector safely much sooner. Working voltage-free and gas-free will remain high on our agenda in the coming years.
Collaborating with chain partners
We are strengthening the collaboration with our contractors. Effective collaboration is crucial to be able to carry out more work structurally. Therefore, we are opting for long-term contracts with a healthy return so that contractors can invest in the growth and development of their employees. We will also put together concrete work packages that give contractors the room to organise their work more efficiently. Enexis is increasingly taking the leading role: we are shifting work such as the work preparation to the contractor. The contractor may only take over the work after a thorough training that meets our internal requirements.
Collaborating together
With the European tender for our infrastructural work, we laid the foundation in 2023 for a new way of collaborating in the service area Groningen, Drenthe and Overijssel. This concerns a contract of in total € 2.5 billion. Besides Enexis, the grid operators Coteq and Rendo, water companies Vitens, Waterbedrijf Groningen and WMD, and VodafoneZiggo participated in the tender. Together, we founded Foundation GROND'G. The tender was twofold: combined work for the grid operators from Foundation GROND’G and work for Enexis itself that is being carried out as from 1 November 2023.