Meet the Team – Simone Pagano
MEET THE TEAM – SIMONE PAGANO
- What is your role in BNZ?
I am an asset manager within the operations team. The main objective is to ensure that the projects are meeting performance and production expectations and that they are fulfilling all their obligations towards the stakeholders.
- How long have you been working in the renewable energy sector?
After studying a degree in energy engineering, I started working in the sector seven years ago and here I continue my journey.
- How do you think the sector has changed in these years?
The energy sector has changed since I started working. During the last few years, there has been another boom in renewable projects, consolidating the more mature technologies such as photovoltaic and wind, and opening up to new technologies such as batteries or hydrogen.
- What are the main challenges for the sector in the coming years?
In the coming years we have to ensure that the production of all the projects that are coming up can be maximized and not wasted, balancing the energy system by including new technologies such as batteries, which help to align the demand with the supply.
- And in the long term?
Achieving the ambitious goals of the 2030 and 2050 sustainable development agendas for the benefit of people and the planet, in which renewable energy plays a fundamental role.
- What does BNZ have that its competitors don’t?
At BNZ, people are highly valued, both inside and outside the company. For this reason, BNZ is very focused on establishing long-lasting interactions with local communities through the development of environmental and social projects for each of its plants.
- How do you see BNZ in 5 years?
In five years, I see BNZ as a consolidated company because its current portfolio of projects in Spain, Italy and Portugal will be fully operational and we will most likely have other projects coming on board, which would allow the company to have a mix of different technologies.
- Which countries are making greater efforts for photovoltaic energy?
Many countries are involved in achieving the PV industry targets set to accelerate the energy transition, and certainly Spain, Italy and Portugal, where we have our first projects, are at the forefront.
- What would you ask public administrations to promote this type of clean energy?
It is important to have clear rules, medium/long-term stability and the commitment of all parties involved in the different stages to develop, build and operate a renewable energy project.
- And the citizens?
To understand that renewable energy plants can be perfectly integrated with the community where they are located and that they are an opportunity for local growth and development.
- What do you do in your day to day to reduce your carbon footprint?
We can do a lot of things as individuals and also as a collective. In my case what I do in general is to recycle, avoid wasting food, limit clothing consumption to what is essential and not overuse heating or air conditioning systems in accordance with thermal comfort rules, among other things.
In Depth
- A hobby: Sports, but if I had to choose one, it would be basketball, which I have been playing since I was a child.
- A country to visit: Italy, it has a mix of culture, history, nature, people and delicious food.
- A city to live: Madrid.
- An animal: A falcon.
- A movie or TV series: “Remember the titans”.
- A book: “The Pillars of the Earth”, by Ken Follet.
- A type of cuisine: Italian, although I like to try all traditional cuisines.
- A historical figure: Leonardo da Vinci.
- A colour: Navy blue.
