The shortage of qualified specialists is a challenge faced by companies and institutions in the energy sector in particular. Dedication and joint action are needed to ensure that this does not become a bottleneck during the energy transition. This is where the newly founded Network Energy Talents (NET) initiative comes into play. The five founding partners from business and science are cooperating closely to promote young talent in the energy sector and therefore contribute to more people opting to study a STEM degree program in the future.   

As part of the Dresden Science Night on June 14, 2024, the NET founding members - TUD Dresden University of Technology, the two German electricity transmission system operators 50Hertz and TenneT, the municipal utility company SachsenEnergie with its subsidiary SachsenNetze and the independent energy expert and technical consultant DNV - will present the initiative to the public for the first time in the foyer of the TOEPLER Building on the campus of TU Dresden. The joint activities begin with the signing of the Letter of Intent.    

Graduates in STEM subjects, i.e. science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, will be urgently needed in almost all key industries in the future. They will therefore play a pivotal role in the success of the energy transition and in strengthening Germany as a business location. With this in mind, it is crucial to inspire and encourage the next generation of experts in STEM subjects as early as possible. This is precisely the goal of the NET initiative. It aims to provide pupils, trainees, students and their parents with support and input when choosing a career.    

Prof. Ursula Staudinger, Rector of TU Dresden: “As a University of Excellence with societal responsibility, we are eager to make our contribution to training the specialists of tomorrow. Of course, this also includes specialists in electrical and energy technology. These urgently needed future experts will be crucial to moving the transformation of the technology sector towards greater sustainability while maintaining competitiveness and innovative strength and making our energy system climate-neutral. Initiatives such as Network Energy Talents are extremely welcomed in order to meet these ambitious goals. TUD is delighted to be a founding member of this innovative project and is contributing its expertise, particularly in enticing potential students, concerning the transition from studying to working life, and the transfer from science to society. In this context, it is also a marvelously fitting signal that the alliance is presenting itself here at TUD for the first time as part of the Dresden Science Night.”    

Dr. Thomas Werner, Managing Director of DNV Energy Systems Germany GmbH: “The transformation of the energy supply is a joint societal task of enormous proportions that can only be mastered through intensive cooperation in all areas of the energy industry. With the NET initiative, we want to tap into new potential to counter the shortage of skilled workers in the long term, all the while further intensifying cooperation between science and the energy sector. I am particularly pleased that DNV can also make a contribution in this area as an independent and trustworthy voice in global transformation processes.” 
The five founding members of NET are looking to quickly transition from the joint declaration of intent to concrete action. They will take to the stage for the first time together at the Dresden Science Night, and this will soon be followed by many other joint activities, such as information events, workshops and get-togethers. The close cooperation between research and teaching as well as between companies and grid operators in the energy sector is intended to leverage synergy effects and make the NET initiative a model for success.     

Tim Meyerjürgens, Managing Director of TenneT: “No energy transition without skilled workers. The climate-neutral conversion of our energy system requires not only technological innovations, but also a skilled workforce. The shortage of skilled workers along the entire value chain in the energy sector is not something that will resolve itself soon. It is a phenomenon that is clearly evident and will continue to worsen in the coming years if we do not actively work to circumvent it. We must create incentives for new jobs and employment opportunities in the green economy and introduce young talent to the energy sector at an early stage. It is therefore only logical for TenneT to actively support the NET initiative from the outset.”   

Sylvia Borcherding, Managing Director of Corporate Services (CCO) at 50Hertz: “Unfortunately, the energy sector is still seen as rather conservative - and we need to put paid to this image. Because the exact opposite is the case: The renewable energy sector is more agile, innovative and diverse than many other industries. Choosing a job that actively bolsters the energy transition also has another decisive advantage: the work is meaningful. Cooperating closely with our network partners, we are striving to make the numerous benefits even better known amongst schoolchildren and students. The effects of climate change are already being felt. If we want to counteract this development, we need bright minds who are raring to get involved and move things forward together!” 
One focus of the collaboration will be on building a formal and informal network with schools in order to awaken young people's interest in STEM professions as early as possible. With this as a basis, the initiative plans to support and accompany students and trainees. This is complemented by concepts for co-designing talent development programs, such as scholarships and fellowships, as well as summer schools, graduate programs and research projects.   

Dr. Frank Brinkmann, CEO of the SachsenEnergie Group: “Throughout Germany and as a society, we are all faced with the challenge of implementing the energy transition in the shortest time possible. To achieve this, we need experts in electrical energy technology who can make and keep our electricity grids fit for the future. The experts are the key to success. This initiative will allow us to join forces and garner young talent by inspiring budding experts with our meaningful and multifaceted work in the energy sector.”   

The NET members at a glance:   

TU Dresden 
As a University of Excellence, TUD Dresden University of Technology is one of the leading and most dynamic research institutions in Germany. With around 8,300 members of staff and around 29,000 students in 17 faculties, it is one of Europe’s largest technically-oriented universities. Founded in 1828, today it is a globally oriented, regionally anchored top university, developing innovative solutions for the world's most pressing issues. In research and academic programs, the university unites the natural and engineering sciences with the humanities, social sciences and medicine. This wide range of disciplines is an outstanding feature that facilitates interdisciplinarity and transfer of science to society. 

DNV 
As the world's leading resource of independent energy experts and technical advisors, we help industries and governments navigate the many complex, interconnected changes taking place in the energy industry, both globally and regionally. Through our consulting, monitoring, verification and certification services, we offer security for the entire energy value chain - from generation and production, transmission and distribution, all the way up to consumption. We support the operation of high-risk physical and digital plants and systems in wind, solar/photovoltaic, energy storage, hydrogen, oil, gas, synthetic fuels, power grids, as well as carbon capture and storage. Our more than 5,000 dedicated experts working closely with our customers in the energy sector make us the trusted partner to tackle the biggest global transformation within one generation: the energy transition.  

TenneT TSO 
TenneT is a leading European grid operator. We are committed to a secure and reliable electricity supply - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We are helping to shape the energy transition - for a sustainable, reliable and affordable future of energy. As the first cross-border transmission system operator, we plan, build and operate a high-voltage and extra-high-voltage grid with a length of over 25,000 kilometers in the Netherlands and large parts of Germany. With our 17 interconnectors to neighboring countries, we facilitate the European energy market. Our turnover of EUR 9.2 billion and total assets of EUR 45 billion make us one of the largest investors in national and international electricity grids, on land and at sea. Every day, our 8,300 employees give their best and ensure that more than 43 million end consumers can rely on a stable supply of electricity in line with our values of responsibility, courage and networking.

50Hertz 
50Hertz operates the electricity transmission grid in northern and eastern Germany and is expanding it to meet the needs of the energy transition. Our extra-high-voltage grid has a circuit length of over 10,000 kilometers - that's the distance from Berlin to Rio de Janeiro. The 50Hertz grid area covers the federal states of Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia as well as the city states of Berlin and Hamburg. In these regions, 50Hertz and its about 1,800 employees ensure that 18 million people are supplied with electricity around the clock. 50Hertz is a leader in the reliable integration of renewable energies: In our grid area, we want to securely integrate 100 percent renewable energies into the grid and system by 2032. The shareholders of 50Hertz are the listed Belgian holding Elia Group (80 percent) and the KfW banking group with 20 percent. As a European transmission system operator, 50Hertz is a member of the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E).   

 SachsenEnergie Group 
The SachsenEnergie Group provides modern solutions and products for electricity, gas, heat, water, telecommunications, electromobility and smart services to ensure the best quality of life in Saxony. More than 3,700 employees are committed to providing modern infrastructure and energy services for the future. As the largest municipal supplier in eastern Germany, SachsenEnergie is helping to shape the energy transition, investing in the expansion of regional infrastructure, and guaranteeing secure supplies for the future. More than 160 municipalities rely on customized supply concepts and services for state-of-the-art municipal energy management.  The group comprises SachsenEnergie AG, SachsenServices, SachsenGigaBit, and the SachsenNetze transmission system operator. SachsenNetze is the transmission system operator for electricity and gas in Dresden and eastern Saxony. As part of the SachsenEnergie group, the company ensures reliable energy distribution in the grid areas with a modern and capable infrastructure. In 2024, SachsenNetze is investing around EUR 263 million to expand and renew the electricity, gas and hydrogen grids - EUR 210 million for the electricity grids alone.   

Press inquiries:   

 TU Dresden
Matthias Fejes, Press Officer
Tel.: +49 351 463-32882
   

DNV Energy Systems Germany   
Stefanie Gramm, Marketing & Communications Manager
Tel.: +49 40 361490
Mobile: +49 171 9076159
   

 TenneT TSO GmbH   
Maria-Elena Richter, Press Officer
Tel.: +49 921 50740-5874
Mobile: +49 151 21784235
   

 50Hertz   
Katrin Dietl, Press Officer
Tel.: +49 30 5150 4277
Mobile: +49 151 28600566
    

 SachsenEnergie   
Nora Weinhold, Press and Media Officer
Tel.: +49 351 5630 23671
Mobile: +49 174 1502935