At GETEC, sustainability is central to everything we do, as we take full responsibility with our innovative solutions and strive to make an impactful contribution to the future of energy.

GETEC is committed to becoming Europe’s leading partner in shaping the energy transition. We continuously enhance the success and resilience of our customers with decarbonised energy, infrastructure solutions and energy management. Sustainability is integral to our corporate strategy and is a key driver of innovation, technology and future viability. Our values of impact, reliability, unity and a pioneering spirit provide the foundation for all our actions across environment, social and governance (ESG) aspects. 

At GETEC, resilience is the foundation for the energy transition. We define resilience as balancing economic viability, security of supply and sustainability impact. Resilience is embedded in every project and partnership, and we are determined to be a leader in shaping a sustainable future together with our customers, partners and employees. Our strategies for a resilient future cover digital transformation, centralised procurement, employee development, governance optimisation, financial robustness and security. 

Recognition for ongoing sustainability leadership

GETEC is committed to internationally recognised standards. We regularly participate in independent sustainability assessments, such as EcoVadis and the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB), where GETEC achieved a 4‑star rating in 2024, placing us among the leading group in the assessment. 

We are also a signatory to the UN Global Compact, with annual communication on our progress. Since 2020, we have voluntarily published reports on our sustainability activities, as we continue to contribute to the transformation of Europe’s energy infrastructure, driving the energy transition to a digital and decarbonised world.

INTERVIEW

Pierre-Alain Graf, CEO of GETEC 

What is the key challenge for the energy sector?

For many years, resilience in the energy sector was understood as the ability to restore energy production plants to full operation after a disruption. Today, the energy sector has become vastly more complex, interconnected and interdependent. A failure in one corner can impact the network and cause large-scale outages. Cyberattacks, geopolitical tensions, embargoes and extreme weather events add further dimensions of risk, and they are regular reminders of our collective vulnerability. Many industries are not yet fully prepared, and resilience must become a guiding principle for how we design, operate and govern the energy systems of the future.  

How does GETEC define resilience?

We believe that resilience in the energy sector balances economic viability, security of supply and sustainability impact, aligning all three so that they reinforce each other. This alignment is visible in our projects where industrial facilities have been transformed from lignite dust to biomass, cutting emissions by 90%, safeguarding supply and ensuring long-term cost stability. It is also seen in our waste-heat recovery projects that demonstrate how circular energy models reduce carbon footprints, lower costs for thousands of residents, and strengthen social impact. Resilience is also about people, as technology alone does not make an organisation resilient. It is the creativity, unity and courage of our teams that transform strategies into reality and disruption into opportunity. 

How does financial strength improve sustainability and resilience?

Sustainability is not only measured in technical reliability or in environmental, social and governance metrics. Just as important is the resilience of financial structures that enable long-term stability and growth. In 2024, our €3.1 billion refinancing created one of Europe’s largest infrastructure financing platforms. This financing demonstrated the trust of international investors, based on our governance structures, transparency and track record of delivering impact.

What role does security play?

In the digital era, resilience requires a broader definition of security to include cyberthreats, shifts in regulatory requirements, risks to supply chains and damage from natural disasters. For us, information security starts at the executive level, and we measure progress through clear key performance indicators, such as awareness training, incident readiness and compliance with international standards. Security for our digital and physical assets is a prerequisite for growth and trust, and a central pillar to safeguard sustainability impact. 

How does resilience become an opportunity?

We consider resilience to be proactive, anticipatory and generative. It is a foundation for growth, trust and leadership in times of change and uncertainty, and it means ensuring that our customers, partners and communities can rely on us. We take a customer-first approach across every process and decision, including for robust compliance, stakeholder management, lean governance, operational excellence, disciplined capital allocation, financial transparency and much more. This is supported by our digital expertise, enabling the rapid deployment of decarbonisation services and digital products. We move resilience from principle to practice, and this is seen in all of our projects, with tangible outcomes and measurable impact. 

How is GETEC building a sustainable future?

At GETEC, we are focused on building a sustainable future by anticipating risks early, driving long‑term sustainable growth, and shaping a resilient and future-proof energy landscape together with our customers, partners and employees. Europe is undergoing a profound transformation, with the energy transition accelerating and expectations rising for cost‑effective, secure and sustainable solutions. 

In this environment, resilience becomes more than a strategic advantage – it also becomes a responsibility. It shapes everything we do as Europe’s leading specialist for reliable, decarbonised energy and infrastructure solutions. Resilience underpins a sustainable future — alongside creating long-term confidence in the transition itself, combining strong foundations with a clear vision and ensuring the energy transition delivers lasting value for all stakeholders.