Reflecting our values in real-time procurements
DNV and our industry partners remain committed to the fight for racial justice and equality. The need for continuous focus and action in order to dismantle racism and enact real change remains. We want to share regular updates on the actions we are taking and hope you will join us. As the industry matures and we collectively seek informed and improved inclusion of diverse industry players, DNV’s procurement management team is taking the next steps to “walk the walk.”
In the last five years, DNV has managed over 6 GW of competitive procurement processes for wind, solar, and energy storage projects. As the Independent Engineer on approximately half of all solar + storage financings and the majority of wind financings, our specialty is leveraging the industry-leading perspective and oversight we gain in our role as independent engineer, to achieve for our developer and utility Customers the best intersection of cost and quality in procuring equipment and turnkey EPC bids.
DNV recently developed an RFP and owner’s technical specifications to procure an EPC for a portfolio of utility-scale solar projects. In developing the bidder requirements, DNV proposed including bidder diversity criteria to the RFP. In collaboration with our Customer, DNV developed language to encourage bidding RFPs to document their specific efforts to achieve meaningful participation of underrepresented or protected class individuals or groups in the project team (e.g., race, ethnicity, gender, disabled status). In recognition of the fact that diversity, equity and inclusion criteria are new to many organizations, DNV recommended that options include but not be limited to specific roles that may be held within the project team in Bidder self-performed work, or use of minority-, women-, or disabled-owned business enterprises as subcontractors.
Our customer was really pleased with DNV’s suggestion as a meaningful way to improve the resiliency and improve inclusion in the industry. We are looking forward to continuing to find meaningful, proactive ways to broaden and deepen the ability of underrepresented groups to participate in renewable energy procurements.