A Week of Impact for GE Vernova Reinforces Progress in our Purpose

At GE Vernova , we operate in an environment where every week we accelerate the intensity of our actions toward our purpose of electrifying the world and decarbonizing the energy sector. While I’ve adjusted to this pace, on occasion I step back and find myself in awe of the impact that partnership with our stakeholders is driving. Last week was one of those weeks, an extraordinary Week of Impact for GE Vernova. 

Rebuild Ukraine

I was honored to be the private sector representative at the Rebuild Ukraine convening in Warsaw in a keynote discussion with energy ministers from Denmark, France, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Ukraine, and the United States.  This is among our most important “One Vernova” missions: supporting the emergency supply of power in Ukraine and rebuilding the grid of the future.  I shared three learnings to ensure Ukraine’s success:

1. Partnership: how unprecedented public/private sector coordination are enabling a unified effort for Ukraine energy
2. Proactiveness: the need to plan early given the global demand pressures on electrification equipment from energy security
3. Pragmatism: the reality that in an active war-torn environment, we have to be creative and nimble in structuring relationships and deals to get technology functioning where and when it’s needed the most.

It's always inspiring to meet with German Galushchenko, who is impacting the world as not just Ukraine's Energy Minister, but an “energy general” strategically managing the country's assets from Russia’s attacks on the grid to ensure the lifeblood of energy reaches children, families, the elderly, and vulnerable people.  Thank you also to Laura Lochman for her leadership with the U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Energy Resources .  This unprecedented public/private partnership to enable access to electricity will continue to be among the top priorities for GE Vernova and our employees.

Energy Governance

The next day, it was a privilege to join the United Nations Development Program ( UNDP ) as the private sector representative on a panel with global energy ministers from emerging nations on a topic near and dear to me: climate change governance.  UNDP released an “Energy Governance Framework for a Just Energy Transition,” focusing on inclusive and effective institutions, policy and regulatory frameworks, civic engagement and empowerment, and appropriate and independent oversight.  As the panel discussed, “everything intersects with governance.” I shared GE Vernova’s examples of our work in Ukraine, implementing the Inflation Reduction Act, addressing environmental justice, and calling for conformity in global reporting regimes as examples of how the private sector can support governance of the energy transition within the UN model.

Environmental Justice

Another opportunity for impact arose from my passionate colleagues at 3M , who hosted the most engaging private-sector led discussion on environmental justice I’ve observed. I was honored to give the keynote presentation on GE’s environmental justice journey.  I focused on our three-pillar approach of environmental protection, equity, and innovation.  We are particularly proud of our innovative environmental justice brownfields program, where we rank underutilized GE properties based fully on environmental justice screening criteria, allocate resources to remediation and readiness, and work with community leaders to revitalize the properties for public good.  In 2022, GE prioritized and repurposed 12 properties in environmental justice communities, working to address barriers that discourage reinvestment and meaningful reuse, seeking community partners to help define local needs.  GE has committed more than $40 million to demolish obsolete buildings in EJ neighborhoods as a step toward community reuse (more here).

Manufacturing Milestone

On Thursday, my colleagues in Schenectady, NY announced a critical milestone on impact. Following a $50 million dollar investment we announced in the spring, the team recently completed the first onshore wind turbine from the new wind manufacturing assembly line at the historic facility. As the facility completes its ramp up, 200 skilled employees will manufacture and assemble components for over 100 units of GE Vernova’s workhorse 6MW onshore turbine next year alone. The moment marked an exciting milestone in our history books, as we leverage more than 130 years of GE’s history to continue leading a new era of energy.

Software Solution

Finally last week, our teams announced the release of innovative new software designed to help power utilities best maximize the use of renewable energy. The new tools – drawing on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced modeling – allow for the seamless incorporation of renewables with existing assets. This will reduce uncertainty for power companies, giving them the confidence needed to ensure grid stability while simultaneously reducing emissions and accelerating the energy transition.

It’s exciting to see the growing impact that GE Vernova is having in partnership with our stakeholders globally on succeeding for the shared goals of electrifying the planet and decarbonizing the energy sector.  While I had a front row seat to these events in one week, the credit goes to our passionate global employees who every day inspire me to engage and deliver these messages reflecting the successes they are driving.