In the ‘Our Fixers’-series, we talk to colleagues about working at Novar. Everyone works in a different department, but we share one common goal: fixing the energy transition. In part 14, we speak with Tom Rademaker, Environmental Manager at Novar in the Netherlands.
‘When people feel heard, it creates space for a genuine conversation.’
Tom has been working as an environmental manager at Novar since June 2025. Based in Arnhem, he works on solar parks and battery projects in the eastern and southern parts of the Netherlands. His role? Connecting people. Residents, municipalities, energy cooperatives, entrepreneurs and the experts at Novar.
Building trust
‘Many interests come together in the development of a solar park. I make sure everyone stays engaged and that there’s room for questions, concerns, and ideas. You’re not just building an energy project. You’re also building trust with the local community.’
No two working days are the same for Tom. One day he’s organising an information evening for residents; the next, he’s sitting at a local resident’s kitchen table or working on a participation plan for a new project.‘It’s precisely that variety that makes my work so enjoyable. I also translate technical information into plain language. What makes sense to a project manager might not make sense to a local resident.’
After nearly twenty years in the communications field, Tom knows how important it is to listen first.‘Emotions often come into play with a solar park. People are concerned about their local area or have questions about the energy transition. In such cases, there’s little point in immediately jumping to answers. First, I want to understand what’s on someone’s mind. Only once that connection is established is there scope for a proper conversation.’
A real fixer
The last time Tom felt like a real fixer? He doesn’t have to think long about that.
Earlier this year, he temporarily took over a project from a colleague who was on maternity leave. At that time, provincial policy on local ownership was changing. If the permit application wasn’t submitted in time, the project’s financial viability would be at risk. ‘Within a few days, we had to bring all stakeholders on board with a situation that normally takes much longer.’
Together with a colleague, Tom organised an information evening at short notice and sent a detailed explanation to local residents.‘It was a challenging evening. We were met by a local action group. Nevertheless, we remained calm, explained what was happening and answered all questions.’
Not everyone agreed with the plans. Despite that, Tom looks back on that evening with a sense of satisfaction.‘We heard from residents that they understood our story and appreciated the way we communicated and engaged with them. That doesn’t mean everyone supported the solar park. Many residents still opposed the plans. But they did feel heard and taken seriously. And that’s important to me.’
Working together
What strikes him most about Novar? The ‘can-do’ mentality. ‘We focus on what is possible. Colleagues help one another, tackle challenges and pull together. That shared fixer mentality creates a positive energy that helps us move projects forward and achieve things together.’
On a personal level, too, the work feels meaningful to Tom. ‘The energy transition is perhaps the biggest societal change of this generation. I hope that my six-year-old son will one day be able to say that we didn’t just sit back and wait, but played our part in finding solutions. That’s what makes this work so special to me.’
