Accelerating the energy transition requires international collaboration and local engagement. Since 2014, Pondera has been active in countries including Indonesia, Vietnam, and South Korea, each with its own challenges, opportunities, and culture. Since November 2024, Pondera has been part of Haskoning, further strengthening our international reach. Eric Arends, co-founder of Pondera, has led the international team for several years in his current role as Associate Director International. For him, this collaboration is particularly special: he previously worked at Haskoning and is now once again part of the organisation, this time with a focus on creating international impact in the field of renewable energy. How does he reflect on returning and what steps does he take to create meaningful local impact?

From pioneer to international player

“Pondera started with a small team and a clear focus: sustainable energy in the Netherlands,” says Eric. “We were involved in major wind projects such as Noordoostpolder and offshore initiatives. Back then, everything was still in its infancy.” 

The decision to expand abroad was made in 2014. ‘We observed that countries such as Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea were beginning to develop offshore wind energy. We recognised that our expertise from the Netherlands could be effectively applied there.’ Pondera is now active in several Asian countries, each with its own energy mix. In Indonesia, the focus is more on solar and floating solar, while Vietnam has significant potential for both onshore and offshore wind energy. Vietnam has a rapidly growing economy and an enormous need for renewable energy. The conditions are good, but it takes a government a long time to establish a suitable legal framework, especially when it comes to offshore wind.

Pondera's international reach has grown considerably as a result of its collaboration with Haskoning. ‘I never expected to return,’ says Eric. ‘But Haskoning has become three times larger and has grown significantly internationally. That fits perfectly with Pondera's ambitions.’ Pondera will continue as the Renewable Energy Development advisory group within Haskoning, actively seeking collaboration with other parts of the organisation. This will enable us to not only support clients in renewable energy projects, but also provide broader advice on climate adaptation, infrastructure and spatial development.

“Local teams make the difference”

Local presence is crucial for successful international projects, Eric emphasises. ‘You need to have people locally. They know the culture and society and have a network. That is essential for making a difference locally.’

Pondera works on projects in Asia that are not only innovative, but also make a real difference. A good example is the project in Sri Lanka, where Pondera conducted a study on offshore wind on behalf of the World Bank. ‘We identified the bottlenecks and opportunities – from technical models to legal frameworks. This will enable the Sri Lankan government to take the next step towards rolling out offshore wind,’ says Eric. ‘This is an example of how we use our broad expertise to make a real impact in regions where renewable energy is still in its early stages of development.’

Similarly, successful projects with significant impact have been conducted in South Korea and Indonesia. “We investigated the tendering system and supply chain for offshore wind – key to a successful rollout. In Indonesia, we worked on floating solar on reservoirs, an innovative solution in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy. These kinds of projects show how we accelerate renewable energy with local partners and international knowledge, keeping an eye on what's important locally."

We also follow innovative developments in the energy market closely. One example is floating wind turbines, which can be deployed at sea in locations where the water is too deep for traditional foundations. This technology offers great potential for countries with deep coastal waters, such as South Korea and Vietnam, but also closer to home in Scotland. “Asia is moving forward quickly with this, and costs are falling. That makes it increasingly attractive to governments and investors,” Eric explains. 

Moving forward: growth with local roots

The energy market is changing rapidly. ‘A year ago, the focus was on more renewable sources. Now, due to geopolitical developments, there is more attention for energy security and fossil fuels. This is temporary; the energy transition will ultimately continue.’  

"In a world where not all countries are currently fully committed to renewables, it is important to be where developments are continuing and progressing most rapidly. That is why, for example, we have been in the Philippines in recent weeks, where Haskoning has an office with a strong local team. From there, we are supporting offshore wind developers who are currently working on the first offshore wind auction. We are helping them with feasibility studies and targeted advice on making ports suitable as wind ports for the construction of offshore wind farms."

In five years' time, Eric hopes that Pondera and Haskoning will have grown in several countries. ‘With strong local teams, a regional approach and a leading role in the early stages of offshore wind. We want to grow, but with attention to the local context.’