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That’s nothing unusual for someone at Prokon: When Christoph Teuchert looks out of his window, he sees several wind turbines. In his case, however, they stand on the 737-metre-high Rosskopf in the Black Forest. This is because Teuchert mostly works remotely from Freiburg for Prokon: “I’m basically the branch office” – though plans are underway for a second person to join him in his office in the university city. Since June, the 37-year-old has been coordinating the departments for member support, dialogue centre, and energy trading as a division manager. His team of nearly 40 colleagues is responsible for both members and energy customers. Overlaps are very much welcome here: “Of course, it’s our goal – and it makes a lot of sense – that as many energy customers as possible become members and as many members as possible use clean Prokon wind power.”

The new dialogue centre essentially acts as an interface and directly engages with both target groups – “as a voice and point of contact,” says Teuchert. He and his team have big plans for the coming year: they want to make the cooperative’s mission even more tangible for the members. A first step, carried out together with the communications department, was the successful relaunch of the website. Now, additional participation opportunities are set to appeal to both existing and new members and motivate greater – including financial – commitment. “It’s ultimately all about the big goal of driving the energy transition forward together.” This also applies to energy customers, for whom the team aims to further diversify the offering of energy transition products. These include, for example, a dynamic tariff that allows wind energy to be utilised more efficiently.

Career start with a steep learning curve

The focus is on simple, comprehensible products and services – even though highly complex topics such as digitalisation and portfolio management may play a role in the background. Neither members nor customers should have to deal with these complexities but should be able to trust that the Prokon team manages everything professionally and sustainably. Teuchert only joined a few months ago, but he has essentially grown up with Prokon. Immediately after completing his studies at TU Dresden, he started as a freshly graduated industrial engineer in Itzehoe in 2013 – and shortly thereafter experienced the company's restart. It was a steep learning curve: “We practically worked every day late into the night to ensure that Prokon could become a cooperative,” recalls Teuchert, who was then a commercial employee in energy trading. What remains particularly memorable for him is the decisive creditors' meeting at the Congress Centre in Hamburg: “It’s great that it worked out.” As a project manager, he subsequently helped establish procurement and controlling, contributed to the rebranding of the Prokon brand, and participated in defining Prokon’s direction as an elected member of the "Culture & Values" committee, chosen by members and colleagues alike.

Prokon is in my work DNA, and I am pleased that I can continue contributing to the cooperatively organised energy transition.

Christoph Teuchert, Head of Members & Energy

A difficult and an easy decision

In 2018, Teuchert became Head of the Energy Trading Department – at a time when, just before the birth of his third child, he faced a decision about where to live. Having grown up near Lake Constance, he and his family felt drawn back to southern Germany, partly due to the proximity to the mountains. With a heavy heart, he left Prokon. He gained experience at a start-up spin-off of the Fraunhofer Institute and later moved into product management at EWS Schönau – but he always stayed in contact with the team in Itzehoe. When a department head position became available at Prokon, his name quickly came up. The profile fit, and an agreement was reached swiftly. “Prokon is in my professional DNA, and I’m delighted to be able to continue contributing to the cooperatively organised energy transition.” Thanks to modern technology, the physical distance is no issue, and communication via video conference is part of daily life. At least once a month, Teuchert travels more than 800 kilometres to the north by night train – and is in the Itzehoe headquarters early the next morning to engage with his team members in person. Returning to Prokon – for Teuchert, it feels a bit like “coming home” every single time.

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Career start with a steep learning curve

A difficult and an easy decision

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