Behind a reliable electricity supply, there is more than power lines, technology and major infrastructure projects. There are people who take responsibility, develop new ideas and work every day to help shape our energy future. One company playing an important role in this is 50Hertz. As a member of Network Energy Talents (NET), the transmission system operator is committed to advancing the energy transition, inspiring young people to explore the energy sector and opening up new opportunities for their future.
50Hertz: Ensuring electricity gets to where it is needed
Reliable electricity supplies for households and industry depend on powerful transmission grids. This is where 50Hertz comes in.
As one of Germany’s four transmission system operators, 50Hertz operates the extra-high-voltage grid in northern and eastern Germany. More than 2,500 employees help ensure that 18 million people have a reliable electricity supply around the clock. To achieve this, the company maintains and expands its grid infrastructure while preparing it for the demands of the energy transition.
But its work involves far more than building new power lines. Digitalisation, innovative technologies and cooperation with science and industry also play an important role. As part of the European Elia Group, 50Hertz works closely with international partners.
The company has set itself an ambitious goal: By 2032, 50Hertz aims to integrate 100 percent renewable energy into its grid, calculated over the course of a year. Achieving this requires technical expertise, fresh ideas and people working together to develop solutions.
Why is 50Hertz called 50Hertz?
The name is no coincidence. It refers to a fundamental physical principle of our electricity supply. In Germany, the grid frequency is 50 hertz. This means that alternating current completes 50 cycles per second.
For the power system to remain stable, electricity generation and consumption must always be balanced. Grid frequency is an important indicator of this balance. Maintaining this stability is one of the central responsibilities of 50Hertz and Germany’s three other transmission system operators: Amprion, TransnetBW and TenneT Germany.
Young talents are helping shape the energy transition
The energy sector offers many opportunities to contribute to the future of our society. And it takes much more than electrical engineering expertise.
At 50Hertz, skills in energy engineering, civil engineering, information technology and industrial engineering are in demand, alongside expertise in IT, data science, digitalisation, cybersecurity, environmental management and business administration. Natural sciences, law and public administration also play important roles. Technical vocational training and qualifications as a technician or master craftsperson offer further opportunities. Different interests and skills come together to shape tomorrow’s energy system.
Young people can gain their first practical experience at 50Hertz through vocational training, dual study programmes, internships or working student positions. Bachelor’s and master’s theses, research projects, the trainee programme and direct entry positions also offer opportunities to explore the energy sector and take on responsibility.
50Hertz places particular emphasis on an open team culture, collaboration and personal development. Young talents are encouraged not just to observe, but to contribute their own ideas, explore new responsibilities and grow through new challenges. Opportunities to gain insights into different business areas and international experience provide additional room for personal and professional development.
What does it feel like to help shape the energy future?
Finja and Emil offer a glimpse into what these opportunities look like in everyday working life. Both are gaining experience in different areas at 50Hertz and discovering just how varied a start in the energy sector can be.
Finja: Trust, responsibility and genuine team spirit
Finja is completing a dual degree in Business Administration at 50Hertz. She particularly appreciates the opportunity to get to know different departments and gain a comprehensive understanding of the company. During her first year, she was already given a great deal of trust and responsibility.
Alongside her professional development, teamwork plays an important role for Finja. Working with different teams and taking part in activities such as workshops, team events and summer celebrations strengthens the sense of community and makes her time at 50Hertz particularly rewarding.
Emil: Learning, exploring and helping shape the energy future
Emil is training to become an electronics technician for industrial engineering. As well as learning the technical foundations of his profession, he gains valuable hands-on experience in different working environments.
“At 50Hertz, I am completing my vocational training in an exciting and future-oriented environment. We are currently taking part in a collaborative training programme, which gives me the opportunity to gain new experiences outside 50Hertz and deepen my knowledge. What I particularly appreciate is seeing how well my training at 50Hertz prepares me for different tasks and how exciting it is to contribute to the energy future.”
Finja’s and Emil’s experiences show that starting a career in the energy sector is about more than learning a profession. It is about discovering your strengths, trying new things and seeing how your own work can contribute to the future.
Inspiring young people to discover the energy sector together
This is exactly where Network Energy Talents comes in. We want to show young people how diverse the energy sector is, what lies behind the energy transition and what opportunities can grow from an interest in technology and the natural sciences.
50Hertz is one of our association’s members and actively contributes its experience in the energy sector to the network. Together with other organisations from business, science and education, we aim to encourage exchange between young talents and experienced professionals. After all, the energy transition needs different skills, new ideas and strong partnerships.
Our article “Why Mentoring Provides Guidance” also illustrates just how valuable these encounters can be. Often, it is personal conversations and insights into everyday working life that open up new perspectives.
For Wibke Rauh, a member of the Board of Network Energy Talents, this exchange is an important part of her commitment:
“For me, Network Energy Talents is more than just a network – it is a shared platform for inspiring young people to get involved in the energy transition and showing them real opportunities in our industry. Especially at a time when skilled workers are in short supply, it is crucial to spark an interest in technology and energy at an early stage and provide targeted support for young talents. Together, we want to build bridges between business, industry and education, creating real opportunities for the next generation of energy experts.”
Turning connections into real opportunities
The story of Oliver Herrmann shows how cooperation between 50Hertz and Network Energy Talents can open up real opportunities for young people.
Oliver, who studies Renewable Energy Systems at TU Dresden, met representatives of 50Hertz during a NET panel discussion. That initial conversation led to a four-week internship in the field of primary technology. What began as an interest in the energy sector became a first-hand experience of working in electricity transmission.
You can read more in our article “From the panel discussion to the substation: How a conversation led to an internship at 50Hertz”.
Stories like Oliver’s show why strong networks matter. They connect people, create space for questions and turn abstract future opportunities into real experiences.
With 50Hertz, we have a partner by our side that not only advances the technical infrastructure needed for the energy transition but also supports young talents as they find their own path.
Because the energy future is not built by new technologies alone. It is shaped by people who want to make a difference together.
Would you like to find out what opportunities the energy sector could offer you? Then discover your own path towards becoming a game changer in the energy transition with Network Energy Talents.
