Benjam Wärn, hydropower manager
Springtime can be nerve-wracking—as the water flow increases and puts the hydropower system’s capacity to the test. But there are also quieter days when Hydropower Manager Benjam Wärn can catch his breath and enjoy working in the great outdoors. That contrast is part of what makes the job so appealing.
While studying electrical power engineering in the Czech Republic, Benjam had no intention of wrangling the forces of nature in the form of surging floodwaters. His interest in hydropower was sparked in the summer of 2015, when he was placed at the Kolppi hydropower plant. There, he worked on maintenance across all of Herrfors’ hydro plants. By late summer 2016, he was hired as an Operations Engineer, taking primary responsibility for Herrfors’ hydropower operations.
“It was fascinating, but I also felt a big sense of responsibility. Things change quickly in our field, and a lot can happen in a short time. It took me a couple of years before I felt truly comfortable in the role.”
From Calm to Chaos—and Back Again
Across the area from Vöyri to Oravainen and Kruunupyy to Alaveteli, Benjam and his team monitor seven hydropower plants with a total of ten turbines, all via remote control. If something seems off, they go onsite to inspect. Since 2022, Benjam has also been the supervisor for two colleagues on the hydropower team.
“I enjoy taking the lead, but it’s a challenge to manage something that’s constantly changing—sometimes with very short notice. Things don’t always go according to plan, so we always need to be ready to react.”
Flexibility is essential, but at the same time, thoroughness and structured working methods are key. Being able to see both the big picture and the details is a major advantage.
A Balanced Mix of Desk and Field Work
Benjam spends about half his time in the Kolppi office and half in the field—a balance that suits him perfectly.
“I have varied responsibilities and the freedom to manage them—I can plan my own days. I like it when there’s a lot going on, but of course, it’s also nice when it’s a calm, warm summer day and we can sit outside and grill sausages for lunch.”
On a typical day, Benjam might be designing improvement projects or coordinating with contractors—especially for tasks the internal Herrfors team can’t handle directly. His bilingual skills are a big advantage, as most contractors speak Finnish.
“When we get an alert, we head out to check it. Usually, it’s just a surface sensor or something minor that’s broken. But sometimes it’s something more serious—and suddenly we’re dealing with a major repair project. My days rarely go the way I imagined they would.”
Haluatko sinäkin herrforsilaiseksi?
Jos haluat monipuolisen, hauskan ja merkityksellisen työn on Herrfors juuri oikea työpaikka sinulle! Etsimme inspiroituneita ja motivoituneita tekijöitä, jotka haluavat olla mukana luomassa kestävämpää tulevaisuutta.
