Freedom at great heights: Building the future of wind

Meet Robin Vanderheijden

After years at sea and in offshore oil and gas, Robin found his calling in the wind. In this personal story, he shares what it’s like to work on one of the Netherlands’ largest wind farms, why the freedom and responsibility of the job matter, and how Vattenfall supports his growth – both professionally and personally. From high-voltage safety to windsurfing weekends, discover how purpose and passion come together in a career powered by the wind.

Heading

Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you ended up working in wind energy?

After ten years of life at sea and then a number of years in offshore oil and gas, I can now tell friends and family that I live off the wind! Together with six colleagues, I am responsible for the Prinses Ariane Windpark re-powering and expansion project north of Amsterdam.

The windfarm has 82 turbines, each almost 120 meters high at the site. My role includes making adjustments to the software and performing inspections and upgrades of the mechanical and electrical systems. And of course we also fix faults. Each of these turbines can deliver 3.6 megawatts of electrical power per hour, so standing still is very expensive!

I’m also active on other onshore windfarms in the Netherlands as High voltage “authorized person” where I’m responsible of the electrical safety on site.

Fantastic technology

What excites you most about working in wind energy?

Fossil fuels are running out, so we have to develop new energy sources and in this job I can help make that happen. Wind is a fantastic technology with an exciting future and it also gives me the opportunity to work with a lot of freedom. There is no-one looking over my shoulder all the time when I’m standing at the top of a turbine. My team based in a really nice building on an old glider airfield, with more than enough workplaces, parking and charging stations. And I live just 15 kilometers from work.

Young industry

How would you describe the culture and opportunities at Vattenfall?

My work is flexible and varied so it’s not a job where I’m going to the same office every day and drinking coffee from the same mug. The technology is important to me in my role but it’s also about being outside, working in a young industry, and in an organization where there is an open culture where safety is one of the most important topics and many opportunities for growth. I am listened to and my initiative is appreciated and I receive a lot in return from Vattenfall.

"Daddy works there!"

What do you enjoy outside of work?