In a year marked by unprecedented growth and transformative achievements, WElink has reinforced its position as a leader in sustainable energy solutions and innovative housing development. Our journey through 2024 has been defined by groundbreaking projects, strategic partnerships, and unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability. Let’s explore the 24 remarkable achievements that have shaped our most successful year yet.
Expanding our global impact
- 4GW Clean energy pipeline: In a landmark achievement for WElink Energy, WE’ve established a robust 4GW pipeline of diverse energy projects spanning Iberia, Italy, and Africa. This comprehensive portfolio includes cutting-edge PV installations, wind energy projects, storage solutions, and innovative hybrid systems, demonstrating our commitment to versatile and reliable clean energy solutions.
- African mining revolution: Under the leadership of Paul Larkin, General Manager of WElink Africa, WE’ve made significant inroads into Africa’s mining sector. Our engagement with leading mine operators has opened new possibilities for sustainable energy transformation in the industry. By offering tailored green energy solutions, WE are not just powering mines – WE are revolutionizing Africa’s energy landscape while supporting crucial industrial development.
- Italian market success: WElink Italy has emerged as a powerhouse in the European renewable energy sector, successfully delivering and selling 200 MW of projects while building an impressive pipeline exceeding 400 MW. This achievement underscores our ability to navigate complex European energy markets while maintaining our high standards of quality and efficiency.
- Solara4 diplomatic recognition: The visit of British Ambassador Lisa Bandari to our flagship Solara4 project in Portugal on October 10th, 2024, marked a significant milestone. This high-profile recognition led to crucial discussions about accelerating renewable energy licensing in Portugal, positioning WElink as a key player in international energy policy dialogue.
Sustainable homes innovation
- Multiple site launches: Our housing division achieved remarkable growth with the successful launch of multiple developments:
- The Bacton site, featuring 65 innovative sustainable homes
- Heartlands 3A development with 47 cutting-edge residences
- Completion of the Witchford development, adding 46 new homes to our portfolio
- Strategic acquisition of an 80-home site in Suffolk
- Advanced planning for 102 new homes in Chesterfield
- Secured terms for 90 new homes in Cambridgeshire
- Excellence in sustainability: Our commitment to environmental excellence reached new heights with the achievement of 100% EPC A rated homes throughout 2024. This accomplishment was further validated by securing ISO14001 accreditation for our manufacturing facility, setting new industry standards for sustainable construction.
- International recognition: The International Property Award for Sustainable Development wasn’t just an accolade – it was recognition of our innovative approach to combining quality housing with environmental responsibility. This prestigious award validates our position as industry leaders in sustainable residential development.
- Building better membership: Our acceptance into the Building Better DPS represents more than just membership – it’s an acknowledgment of our commitment to excellence in construction and sustainable development practices.
Financial milestones
- Major funding secured: The €20 million funding agreement with KommunalKredit for our 1.6GW BESS portfolio represents a significant vote of confidence in our energy storage capabilities and future growth potential.
- Development funding: Securing over €400M in funding for development and construction, alongside multiple EPC+F contracts, has strengthened our financial foundation and enabled rapid expansion across markets.
Environmental impact
- CO2 reduction: Offsetting more than 1 million tons of CO2 marks a crucial milestone in our fight against climate change. This achievement demonstrates the real-world impact of our renewable energy initiatives and sustainable construction practices.
- Greener homes: Our innovative construction techniques and materials have resulted in homes with 70% lower carbon emissions compared to traditional construction methods. This breakthrough demonstrates that comfortable, modern living doesn’t have to come at the environment’s expense.
- Clean energy impact: Providing renewable energy to 220,000 households represents more than just a number – it’s a testament to our growing influence in the clean energy sector and our ability to deliver reliable, sustainable power solutions at scale.
Operational excellence
- Battery storage achievement: Our 20MW per 2 hours Energy Storage Capacity milestone demonstrates our commitment to developing comprehensive energy solutions that address the intermittency challenges of renewable energy.
- PV project milestone: The delivery or near-completion of 5GWp of PV Projects showcases our ability to execute large-scale solar installations efficiently and effectively.
- Innovation investment: By dedicating 5% of revenue to green innovation initiatives, WE are ensuring that WElink remains at the forefront of sustainable technology development and implementation.
- Process optimization: Achieving a 3X faster delivery rate for WElink Smart Sustainable Homes reflects our commitment to continuous improvement and operational efficiency, without compromising on quality or sustainability.
Strategic growth
- African expansion: Our strategic partnerships with local advisories and governments in West Africa and the SADC region have laid the groundwork for achieving our ambitious 1 GW pipeline target over the next three years. This expansion is supported by our stellar advisory team, bringing 50 years of combined experience in African mining operations.
- Team growth: Expanding to nearly 200 talented professionals globally isn’t just about numbers – it’s about building a diverse, skilled workforce capable of driving our ambitious vision forward. WE are particularly proud of the significant contributions made by women in managerial positions across our organization, whose expertise and innovative thinking are helping shape our future.
- Supply chain innovation: Our collaboration with Achilles marks a significant step toward building more sustainable supply chains. This partnership goes beyond traditional supplier management, incorporating stronger ESG standards and smarter decision-making processes to ensure our supply chain reflects our commitment to sustainability.
Brand & community engagement
- Brand transformation: Our new brand identity and website launch represent more than just a visual refresh – they embody our evolution as a company and our commitment to putting our people at the center of everything WE do. The new identity captures our bold, dynamic, and impact-driven approach to clean energy solutions.
- Industry leadership: Our participation in major renewable energy conferences worldwide, including:
- Intersolar Europe 2024
- RE+ 2024
- WindEnergy Hamburg 2024
- The RE-Source 2024 Conference
- Portugal Renewable Energy Summit 2024
- Investing in Africa Mining Indaba
- Africa Energy Forum These engagements have strengthened our position as thought leaders in the renewable energy sector and provided platforms for sharing our expertise and vision.
- Social media growth: The expansion of our digital presence across LinkedIn and Instagram has created a vibrant community of clean energy advocates. This growing network allows us to share success stories, foster dialogue, and build meaningful connections with stakeholders worldwide.
- UN SDG alignment: Our alignment with 10 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals reflects our holistic approach to sustainability. Through carefully designed projects and initiatives, WE are contributing to global efforts in climate action, sustainable communities, affordable clean energy, and economic growth.
Looking forward
As WE celebrate these achievements, WE remain focused on our mission to accelerate the global transition to sustainable energy and housing solutions. WE have built a robust standardization process to scale our operations and achieve greater efficiency. This foundation, combined with our growing team of experts and strong partnerships, positions us perfectly for continued growth and impact in the years ahead.
Our successes in 2024 are not just corporate achievements – they represent real progress toward a more sustainable future. With each solar panel installed, each sustainable home built, and each ton of CO2 offset, WE are moving closer to our vision of a cleaner, greener world.
As WE look to the future, WE remain grateful to our dedicated team, trusted partners, and supportive stakeholders who have made these accomplishments possible. Together, WE are not just building energy solutions – WE are creating the foundation for a sustainable tomorrow.
