How My Work in Renewables Helped My Parents Go Solar
I work as a Site Lead Technician and Health & Safety Coordinator at two wind farms in Ontario — South Branch and Nation Rise. Every day, I’m out in the field making sure things run smoothly and safely, working closely with contractors and turbine manufacturers like Siemens and Enercon. I love what I do. It’s meaningful, challenging work, and I get to be part of something bigger than myself: helping power homes and communities with clean energy.
But this work hit closer to home than I ever expected when the war in Ukraine changed everything for my family.
My parents live in a small village in western Ukraine. When the war started, power outages became a regular part of their lives. Their heating runs on a water-circulating underfloor system, their water comes from a well that needs an electric pump, and, like most of us, they rely on the internet to stay connected. The grid wasn’t reliable anymore, and they needed a solution.
Inspired by the renewable projects we develop and manage at EDP Renewables, I suggested they install a solar system with battery storage. I helped them plan the setup, calculate their needs, and order the equipment: a 6-kW system with enough battery storage to keep their essential systems running during outages.
Now, not only do they have electricity when the grid fails, but they’re also producing more than they use. My dad is even looking into the possibility of selling the extra energy back to the grid. For them, it’s been a game changer. And for me, it was a powerful reminder of why I chose this career in the first place.
My journey into renewables began in 2017 when I graduated from the Renewable Energies Technician Program at Niagara College. I started as a traveling blade technician, repairing wind turbines across multiple provinces in Canada. At first, I worked in a suspended basket, later moving into rope access work. Hanging hundreds of feet in the air gave me a unique perspective on the physical scale of wind energy and the paramount importance of safety in this line of work.
Those early years taught me grit and precision. However, as my career progressed, I wanted to be more involved in the operations and long-term impact of the sites I worked on. That’s when I joined EDP Renewables. It was a new chapter; one that allowed me to take ownership of day-to-day operations and become more deeply embedded in the safety and performance of the wind farms.
What drew me to EDP wasn’t just the opportunity for growth—it was the company’s culture. EDP Renewables places health and safety at the core of its operations, striving for a “zero accidents” goal and ensuring a healthy work environment for all stakeholders. Their commitment to sustainability, innovation, and humanization resonates deeply with me. These values aren’t just words on paper; they’re woven into how we work and the choices we make every day. Whether we’re onboarding new contractors or troubleshooting a turbine, there’s always a strong sense of responsibility and care behind the work.
Being part of EDP gave me a wider perspective on what it means to create a better energy future. We’re not just maintaining equipment - we’re building systems that help communities thrive, reduce emissions, and stay strong in the face of change.
And sometimes, that impact goes beyond the job. It reaches across the world to the people we love. That’s when you know you’re in the right line of work.
Author:
Danylo Artemenko | Site Lead Technician and Health & Safety Coordinator
e: danylo.artemenko@edp.com
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