From inspectors to enablers, Voltalia’s HSE journey reflects a deep cultural shift where safety, sustainability, and shared responsibility are part of everyone’s daily work. The way we think about Health, Safety, Environment, and Sustainability (HSES) at Voltalia has transformed over the last few years. What began as a compliance-driven function has evolved into a core value and a collective commitment. In this exclusive conversation between Rui Martins, Head of HSES and Robert Klein, Chief Executive Officer, we look back at the milestones of our first HSE strategic cycle (2021–2024) and forward to what’s next in our 2025-2028 journey.
For years, the HSE team at Voltalia was often seen as inspectors, ensuring compliance and enforcing rules. But in 2021, with the launch of a new HSE strategy and the arrival of new talents, the perception began to change.
“Since 2021, we’ve experienced a real mindset shift — a significant cultural transformation. Today, everyone feels part of the safety team.”
Rui, Head of HSE
This shift didn’t happen overnight. It came from integrating safety into daily operations and empowering every team member from project development to field operations, to see safety as their own responsibility.
Voltalia’s approach to safety became more data-driven and forward-looking, focusing on leading indicators rather than only lagging results.
“When we started this strategy, we began developing leading indicators to better measure and manage our performance — and to act before issues occur.”
Rui Martins
A key example: in 2024, 62% of all HSE inspections were performed directly by operations teams, demonstrating ownership and shared accountability.
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Initially, the strategy focused on partnering with contractors that already had strong HSE standards. But even top-tier partners faced challenges. Voltalia responded by implementing robust contractor project management processes, reducing incident rates significantly. |
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“We ended 2024 with contractor Lost Time Injury Rates below target: a milestone we’re proud of.”
Rui Martins
This collaborative approach ensures safety isn’t just a policy, it’s a shared value across all project stakeholders.
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With the next cycle of the HSES strategy underway, the focus turns to empowerment, adaptability, and collaboration. “What excites me most is how the strategy focuses on proactive risk management and empowering people. Without that, we will not succeed.” The new plan emphasizes: building resilience and adaptability to environmental and social challenges, “We’ve moved from a reactive, compliance-driven model to a proactive, value-driven one, from bureaucracy to a human, resilient system.” |
The discussion closes with a shared conviction that HSE is not a separate function but an integral part of Voltalia’s identity.
“HSE is part of our DNA. Everyone is part of that team.”
Robert Klein
As Voltalia continues to grow globally, the next chapter of the HSES strategy reaffirms a collective goal: making health, safety, environment, and sustainability a shared success story.
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