Fortum Embarks on a New Chapter: Integrating Hydropower Maintenance Team for Enhanced Efficiency and Community Focus

Fortum Embarks on a New Chapter: Integrating Hydropower Maintenance Team for Enhanced Efficiency and Community Focus

(IN BRIEF) Fortum marks a significant milestone today as it integrates 250 employees into its hydropower operations and maintenance team across Sweden and Finland. A decade ago, Fortum outsourced these functions but revisited the decision in 2023, opting to bring maintenance staff back in-house to bolster efficiency and cultivate a stronger sense of ownership and community within its hydropower business. By consolidating operations and staff, Fortum aims to enhance operational quality while reinforcing its position as a leading player in the hydropower industry. This move signals Fortum’s commitment to local engagement and resource utilization, recognizing the importance of community involvement in ensuring smooth facility operations and fostering positive impacts. Katarina Atteryd Eckerwall, Head of Fortum’s Hydropower Facilities, underscores the significance of this integration in improving safety, addressing challenges, and elevating operational standards. Additionally, the incorporation of new employees facilitates enhanced competence development and knowledge exchange, vital for meeting future energy demands. Fortum emphasizes its dedication to fostering local connections and advancing the fossil-free energy transition in alignment with strategic objectives. As hydropower remains integral to the Nordic energy landscape, maintaining these facilities is paramount to reinforcing the region’s energy security and sustainability.

(PRESS RELEASE) ESPOO, 4-Jun-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — In a move signaling a significant milestone for Fortum, marks the integration of 250 employees into its hydropower operations and maintenance team across Sweden and Finland. This development marks a strategic shift from a decision made a decade ago when Fortum outsourced its hydropower maintenance staff. However, a thorough review conducted in 2023 prompted Fortum to reconsider its approach, aiming to bolster efficiency and foster a stronger sense of ownership and community within its hydropower business. Following meticulous analysis completed in the summer of 2023, the decision was made to reintegrate the maintenance staff into the organization.

With the seamless integration of these 250 new colleagues in Sweden and Finland, Fortum takes a significant stride towards more efficient, quality-driven operations with a heightened community focus, consolidating its position as a leading player in the hydropower industry. Fortum now sets its sights on further fortifying its market presence through proactive recruitment of local labor. Recognizing the indispensable role of local resources and expertise, Fortum emphasizes their importance in ensuring the smooth, efficient operation of its facilities, nurturing strong relationships, and fostering positive impacts in local communities.

Katarina Atteryd Eckerwall, Head of Fortum’s Hydropower Facilities, underscores the critical nature of operation and maintenance in Fortum’s core business. “By integrating our hydropower facilities and staff within the same organization, we create a more cohesive and efficient working environment,” she notes. “We anticipate that this integration will enhance our ability to tackle challenges, promote a culture of safety, and elevate the quality of our operations and maintenance.”

Moreover, the integration of new employees into Fortum’s organization paves the way for improved competence development and knowledge transfer within the hydropower sector. Bringing together skilled technicians and experts under one roof, Fortum underscores its commitment to fostering learning and innovation, crucial elements in meeting the energy needs of the future.

“At Fortum, we place immense value on local connections and eagerly anticipate deepening our engagement with the communities surrounding our hydropower facilities,” Katarina affirms. “Through the integration of local labor, we not only strengthen our company but also the communities in which we operate.”

Looking ahead, Fortum eagerly anticipates welcoming its new colleagues and remains steadfast in its commitment to driving the fossil-free energy transition in alignment with its strategic goals and values. With hydropower serving as a cornerstone of the Nordic energy system, contributing nearly half of the region’s electricity production, Fortum underscores the criticality of maintaining hydropower plants to bolster the resilience of the Nordic energy system.

Fortum
Fortum is a Nordic energy company. Our purpose is to power a world where people, businesses and nature thrive together. We are one of the cleanest energy producers in Europe and our actions are guided by our ambitious environmental targets. We generate and deliver clean energy reliably and help industries to decarbonise their processes and grow. Our core operations in the Nordics comprise of efficient, CO2-free power generation as well as reliable supply of electricity and district heat to private and business customers. For our ~5 000 employees, we commit to be a safe, and inspiring workplace. Fortum’s share is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. www.fortum.com

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SOURCE: Fortum Corporation