We are primarily tasked with providing power transmission services, system services and facilitating the energy market. Our core tasks follow from our appointment as grid operator under the Dutch 'Elektriciteitswet' (E-wet) and the German 'Energiewirtschaftsgesetz' (EnWG).


Our key tasks

Innovation
TenneT presents Hub and Spoke concept for large scale wind energy on the North Sea.
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Our grid
TenneT manages the high-voltage grid in the Netherlands and large parts of Germany. TenneT transmits electricity at 110,000 volts (110 kV) and higher. With around 24,500 kilometres of high-voltage lines, we cross borders and connect countries.
Offshore Outlook 2050
Already by 2030, the originally planned capacity of 15 gigawatts of offshore wind energy will increase to 20 GW.
To Offshore Outlook 2050

Electricity market
The energy sector is developing rapidly. The process of European market integration began some years ago. Its purpose is to create a single European market that enables market parties to trade gas and electricity across national borders easily and efficiently.

Transparency data
We provide transparency data on our operations on our Dutch and German transparency page and on ENTSO-E.
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E-Insights
Our vision is to be one of the most transparent Transmission System Operators (TSO) in Europe and thereby creating value for society. In this Energy Insights section we present selected energy related topics and show data, information and valuable insights.



Company
TenneT is a leading European electricity transmission system operator (TSO), with activities in the Netherlands and in Germany. We strive to ensure a reliable and uninterrupted supply of electricity in our high-voltage grid for some 42 million people.

We are TenneT
Meet usSafety Culture Ladder
TenneT uses the Safety Culture Ladder (SCL) as a tool to increase safety awareness and enhance safety culture. Not only within our own organisation but also for our contractors. The Safety Culture Ladder is a requirement in a tender as described in the 'Safety by Contractor Management' program.
Besides the Safety Culture Ladder-certification, TenneT stimulates contractors to acquire and fill out the Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) and/or to execute a Reference Audit (SAQ+).
The Safety Culture Ladder is hosted by the NEN. The NEN is the Dutch standardisation institute. TenneT forms a partnership with the NEN for further development of the Safety Culture Ladder (internationally). Therefor all material can be found on the website hosted by the NEN: safetycultureladder.org. In case of questions, please contact us via safety(at)tennet.eu or use the form below.
FAQ
In our market consultation we have encountered several methods. Unfortunately, these methods were mostly based on only performing a self-assessment. The beauty of the SCL system is that it is a comprehensive system. A transparent assessment system has been developed, the audits are carried out by accredited audit organizations (objective and non-discriminatory) and it also offers a development perspective, it is a growth model. TenneT is a contracting authority, which means that we have to make our purchases by obeying the principles of transparency, objectivity and non-discriminatory. The SCL system fulfils these requirements, which allows TenneT to use the SCL as a purchasing tool. TenneT is also open for alternative methods, as long as they fit, in general terms, the same principles as the SCL. An important element is that the alternative method should be audit based.
Actually we did not receive any of such signals. Many suppliers appreciated that TenneT is working on SCL certification as well. Next to that we started a pilot project together with four of our suppliers (two Dutch based and two German based), to learn about the SCL standard itself and the process of getting certified. We also think that many of our suppliers saw the potential of the SCL certification for their own organisation, and approached our initiative positively.
We also do think that cultural change is not fixed overnight. However, it are the day to day actions that ultimately make a culture. A strong point of SCL certification is that a vast number of interviews are being held throughout all levels of the organisation. When there is a consistency in these stories, this provides a good indicator of existing safety culture. Certification is not a guarantee, but provides a comprehensive picture of the maturity on safety awareness within the organisation.
Our opinion is that we only need a new method if it adds something new. A distinctive element of the SCL is that it is certified by independent auditors, and that fits the goal for TenneT to apply the SCL as an objective instrument in our procurement process. TenneT expects a shift in the future from the traditional management system certification to an assessment of behaviour and attitude (cultural approach). The SCL is an example of the latter.
We apply multiple ways of rewarding, we make a distinction between formal and informal rewarding. Example of formal rewarding is a good scoring via our Supplier Performance Management system. Within certain framework agreements we already use these results from Supplier Performance Management in the awarding of new tenders. Example of informal rewarding is giving publicity on safety initiatives via corporate communication means, such as website, newsletter, safety award ceremonies etc
We see the SCL as an addition to OHSAS18001 and the other way round. Where OHSAS 18001 has its basis in systems and processes, the SCL has that on the actual attitude and behavior. SCL measures the effectiveness of the management system, as it were.
There are similarities, but both initiatives have a different focus. The SCL is not a program as such, but primarily measures the culture of an organisation. The culture can be changed by many "intervention / development" programs, like IIF for example. The IIF program could be an example of how an organisation trains its leaders, reflecting in the aspect "Leadership and Involvement", which is part of the SCL.
This heavily depends on the existing safety culture. A transition from level 2 to level 3 roughly takes in between 12 till 18 months. This heavily depends on a number of factors that influences this timeline such as the actual safety awareness, size of the organisation and the type of SCL requirement needed (full SCL certification or a SAQ+ statement (reflecting 40% of full SCL certification)) and available resources for this improvement process.
There are multiple ways to do so. A starting point is to work on getting to know all the actors in the supply chain. To reach out to each other and work on trust and exchange information. This can be done by setting up effective communication with your peers, within your supply chain, or in projects, etc. The communication method should be accommodated to the situation. Starting with sharing information on incidents and lessons learned, to align operational SHE requirements or to work on safety by design approaches. This takes time, but ultimately this is a prerequisite to have a safe supply chain.
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Related

SHE requirements
TenneT has incorporated safety requirements into the procurement process. Read about it here and download the requirements.
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Contractor Management
Contractor management is a key element of our Safety Vision 2022. We want everyone working for TenneT to return home safely at the end of each day. TenneT wants to contract top safety performers to contribute to our projects. We are looking for contractors who take safety just as seriously as we do, and who apply the highest safety standards when performing their work.
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Life-Saving Rules
TenneT applies six Life-Saving Rules. These rules are intended to prevent fatal accidents, and are based on the safety standards applicable in the petrochemical industry and a careful analysis of past high-risk incidents at TenneT. TenneT employees or personnel working for our (sub)contractors should never feel pressured to risk their lives for the sake of the company. The six Life-Saving Rules empower employees to say 'No' and stop the work in any situation where a Rule applies.
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