Designing for impact: Luigi Ferrario’s role in shaping WElink’s renewable energy success

Can you tell us about your background and how you came to join the WElink Energy Italian team?

I worked in the field of renewable energy until 10 years ago with Angelo Prete and Andrea Sardella.

After that, our paths diverged due to my desire to expand my knowledge and skills in other fields such as industrial plant engineering (oil & gas, pharmaceutical industry, underground railways, etc.).

However, during these years I kept in touch with Andrea Sardella who told me how the old job was evolving.

When Andrea Sardella called me last year and told me that new job opportunities were being created, I decided to accept his proposal because I like working to try to make a useful contribution to the society in which I live, and I believe that renewable energy can reflect this desire.

How important is design in the field of renewable energy, and what role does it play in the success of WElink projects?

I believe that design is very important.

We often tend to give little importance to design because the only thing that matters is to lower the costs of building a system.

I believe instead that costs should be managed and controlled carefully but without taking away accuracy from design which is instead the part that makes a system better.

In WElink I saw that the design aspect is highly considered with the aim of creating systems that work and are long-lasting over time.

What are some unique and efficient design elements that distinguish WElink Energy projects from others in the renewable energy sector?

In WElink I found that the study of regulations (national and international) and their application is much more advanced than other realities that I have had the opportunity to get to know during the years of work.

What are the biggest challenges you face when designing large-scale utility projects, and how do you overcome them?

The biggest challenge is to find an optimal technical solution that at the same time does not lead to excessive costs.

In other words, to be able to find the right compromise between the technical part and the economic part.

In order to do this, there must be total collaboration between all departments.

Do government rules and regulations impact the design efficiency of your projects, and if so, how do you navigate these challenges?

I think that government rules and regulations affect how you design a system.

In fact, you can’t always design in the same way.

I think that the first thing to do is to study the rules and regulations applicable to the project you are doing.

Consequently, apply them from time to time.

How do you optimize the design of your projects to accommodate different geographical locations, government regulations and varying environmental conditions?

Design changes depending on where a system is located.

For example, depending on the geographic position, it is necessary to define the positioning of photovoltaic modules.

Design also changes depending on government regulations.

For example, in some regions there are larger areas to leave free than in others.

In your opinion, what does the future hold for design in the renewable energy industry, and how is WElink Energy preparing for these changes?

I think the future will require us to be able to use renewable energy more and to be able to optimize their performance, especially in those areas of the world where the use of other forms of energy is more complicated and difficult to manage from a financial point of view.

I believe that WElink is moving in this direction by tackling projects in different parts of the world, not only in Europe.

What do you love most about the work you do at WElink Energy, and what motivates you to keep pushing the boundaries of design in this field?

In WElink I like the way the various departments relate to each other and the way we face everyday challenges with mutual help.

The main motivation is that I believe that through renewable energies I can be useful not only for the society I live in but also for the entire planet

Environmental & Quality Manager – Portugal

WE are seeking a skilled and motivated Environmental & Quality Manager to join our WElink Energy team in Portugal. In this role, you will be responsible for overseeing environmental compliance and ensuring the highest quality standards across our operations.
  • ● Project Lifecycle Oversight
  • ● Licensing and Regulatory Coordination
  • ● Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Mitigation
  • ● Quality Management System (QMS) Development
  • ● Quality Control in Project Execution
  • ● Compliance Monitoring and Corrective Actions

Candidate Requirements:

  • ● Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Quality Management, or related fields.
  • ● Experience:
    • ○ Minimum 5 years of experience in similar roles, with a focus on environmental and/or quality management in renewable energy projects (solar and wind).
    • ○ Proven track record in managing the entire environmental lifecycle of projects, from development through operation.

Planner

WE are seeking a highly organised and proactive Planner to join our team. This role involves supporting projects across Solara, SILO, and Africa, with the flexibility to be based anywhere in Iberia. Occasional travel will be required.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Attend progress and coordination meetings to ensure alignment across departments.
  • ● Coordinate with Development, Engineering, Procurement, and Project Managers to understand tasks, deadlines, and resource needs.
  • ● Proactively gather inputs to create and update the overall project programme.
  • ● Monitor task progress, identify delays and critical paths, and report deviations from the baseline.
  • ● Suggest alternative solutions to improve project timelines and avoid delays.
  • ● Challenge decisions by forecasting impacts and proposing alternative routes to maintain project momentum.

Canditate requirements:

  • ● Organised, detail-oriented, and able to manage time efficiently.
  • ● Strong analytical thinker with problem-solving and mathematical skills.
  • ● Excellent communication skills, persuasive, and confident in presenting information.
  • ● Experience in planning activities within the renewables sector.
  • ● Willingness to travel across projects in Solara, SILO, and Africa.
  • ● Proficiency in Portuguese or Spanish, and English.
If you’re detail-oriented, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and are flexible with travel, we’d love to hear from you

How to Apply: To be considered for this position, please Email your CV and a cover letter to careers@welink.eu