In which area do you work and what is your position?
Christine Tsiaussis: I work at EnBW in the procurement department as a Professional Buyer and support projects in the area of “dispatchable generation,” which mainly involves power plant construction projects. I’m currently involved in projects such as “Fuel Switch,” which focuses on converting coal-fired power plants to gas, and the geothermal project in Wörth, in which a geothermal power plant is to be built in cooperation between the city of Wörth, Daimler Truck, and EnBW. Both projects are an important step toward the energy transition.
Why is the Fuel Switch project an important step in the energy transition? What exactly is the project about?
Christine Tsiaussis: Fuel Switch is a strategy to transition from coal to more climate-friendly energy sources such as natural gas and, in the long term, hydrogen. Natural gas is being used as a bridging technology to immediately reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 60%. In addition, our plants are already hydrogen-capable, which prepares us for the energy transition in the long run.
What exactly does the procurement aspect involve in your area?
Christine Tsiaussis: I see myself as a project buyer. A concrete example: in order to build the new gas plant for Fuel Switch, it was necessary to demolish the old workshop on the plant site and rebuild it in another location. My role in this project is, as a buyer together with the responsible engineer, to identify, evaluate, and ultimately commission suppliers and service providers on the market for the demolition and construction of the new workshop.
Which departments do you work with in your job?
Christine Tsiaussis: My main technical department is the new construction division of Generation in the field of plant engineering. Each project has its own project team, consisting of engineers and planners, among others. I work closely with them to successfully implement the projects.
Do you enjoy working in different project teams and what are the challenges?
Christine Tsiaussis: I really enjoy contributing my knowledge and expertise to the various teams and driving the projects forward together with them. I often perceive the short lead times, capacity bottlenecks, and unpredictability as challenges. The nice thing about these project teams, however, is that you work with very experienced people who bring new and good solution approaches to the project based on their different experiences, which help you overcome challenges.
Working with many different people is certainly a good opportunity to build a large network, but it can also be a challenge, right?
Christine Tsiaussis: Since I am very interested in personal development in my private life and have completed various tools and training courses, it is becoming easier and easier for me to deal with different types of people and adapt to them. Basically, my life motto is: “Give and take,” and with this attitude I have always done quite well.
Was there a particularly exciting project that has stuck in your memory?
Christine Tsiaussis: Before I left EnBW, I had the opportunity to participate in an offshore project. At the time, my boss offered me the role of deputy project buyer for the foundations of the offshore park – a huge opportunity for me back then. I’ve been lucky to always have supervisors at EnBW who support my development. I haven’t always experienced that with other employers.
How long have you been at EnBW and what did you do before?
Christine Tsiaussis: I started my training at EnBW in 2003 and worked in procurement there until 2016, where I managed many large projects. In 2016, I moved to TransnetBW, which had separated from EnBW as a transmission system operator. I worked there in procurement for five years. After that, I worked externally – three years at Strabag and five years at a consulting company. Through an assignment from TransnetBW, I returned to EnBW.
What were the decisive reasons for you to return to EnBW?
Christine Tsiaussis: As I already mentioned above, at EnBW I have always had an environment where I can contribute my skills and develop further if I want to. This, along with the option of working from home, was one of the main reasons I decided to return to EnBW.
Are there specific benefits that are particularly important to you, for example regarding family life?
Christine Tsiaussis: Yes, EnBW was very accommodating regarding my working hours. When I had my child, I was initially able to return with a low part-time rate of 36%. I’m currently at 80%. The possibility of independently organizing my work, working from home, and the support of my existing network make EnBW a very attractive employer for me.
What motivates you to get up on Monday mornings? What drives you?
Christine Tsiaussis: When I can identify with a topic, I like to get up. I work in a great team and have exciting tasks that I enjoy.