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A balancing act for a safe and reliable network

The Network Service at SUDenergie

Since joining SUDenergie in 2009, Diane Thon has steadily climbed the ranks, taking over the leadership of the Network Service three years ago. In this article, she shares her journey, highlights key responsibilities, and reflects on the major projects that shaped the year 2023.

From the moment she arrived at SUDenergie, Diane Thon has been in charge of everything related to the development and renewal of the natural gas network. It’s a balancing act that becomes increasingly complex with each passing year. “There are more and more underground networks and pipelines, and far less space than when the first systems were installed. That means we now have to coordinate with various utility providers whenever we need to intervene to renew an existing network,” she explains. It’s precisely why she’s proud to rely on the support of her entire team.

Diane currently manages a team of sixteen: “It’s like a small family. We genuinely work hand in hand to find the most suitable solutions to the challenges we face.”

Renewing network sections installed before 1985

With a comprehensive overview of all SUDenergie networks across the 14 shareholder municipalities, Diane Thon’s team is, among the various projects they handle, focused on renewing network sections installed before 1985, primarily for safety reasons.

“Again, it’s not always up to us. Many stakeholders and factors come into play when we decide to launch a new project. Each case is unique and requires a tailored action plan. We don’t just wake up one morning and say: let’s replace this or that network. It’s a long-term effort.”

A rich and human-centred role

“I’m very happy in my job. Every morning when I arrive at SUDenergie’s offices, a different day awaits me. I might be out in the field, in meetings with my team discussing one of our projects, or handling administrative tasks, since we manage our projects from start to finish. This variety is essential to my personal fulfilment.

I’m also glad to be part of a company where the corporate culture places great value on people. Over the course of my career, I’ve succeeded two colleagues who retired, and each time the transition was smooth, with a strong focus on passing on knowledge. That’s very important to me.”

Diane Thon, Head of Network Service
Safety first

2023 was a particularly significant year for Diane Thon, as she and her team successfully completed a crucial project: renewing the oldest network still in operation at SUDenergie. “It was located in Bascharage and dated back to 1972, it was definitely time! Now, the oldest remaining section dates from 1974 and will be the next to be replaced.”

Renewing networks mainly involves replacing outdated materials with new ones that are not only more efficient but, above all, safer. “The safety of our network and our staff is one of our top priorities. That’s why we now use high-quality polyethylene and ensure our team is equipped and trained in the latest innovations. It’s important to us – and to our customers,” says Diane Thon.

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