From cheese and beers to bricks! Zosia’s story

Joined November 2016. I was inspired by the opportunity to work at Europe’s largest solar developer, an organisation I knew from experience to be an exceptional industry leader. The choice was obvious because I wanted the opportunity to work with a team from whom I could learn so much. Having worked in consultancy supporting both corporate energy buyers and renewable developers I was really excited by the opportunity to do something completely new and come over to the developer side. I also love that there are tangible outcomes, the power purchase agreements (PPAs) we were negotiating when I first joined are now real, live solar farms generating renewable power and supporting the manufacture of things I use at home – from cheese and beer to the bricks in the wall! 

A long journey. I have been working in the energy industry for 20 years now, starting with my involvement with corporate PPAs (CPPAs) in the UK 15 years ago. I measure my experience in this market by looking at my son who is now 6 foot tall, whereas I had my first meeting to discuss the sleeving corporate PPAs in the UK on return from maternity leave. I have worked with major energy users to help them develop and implement their renewable energy strategy, so I understand the buyer’s perspective and their motivations and needs. I have also been involved in energy markets and energy price risk management throughout this time both looking at the buy and sell side. 

Fulfilling moments. One of my proudest moments was my first visit to a solar farm that was built as a result of a private wire PPA I was involved in. Another significant milestone was leading the negotiations of the AB InBev PPA in 2018 which was at the time a bit of a first and UK’s largest unsubsidised solar CPPA. Then, completing my first international PPA in Spain, concluding negotiations for a 250MW PPA in less than three months. Last but not least, my proudest achievement is building my incredible team, scaling to support European growth and now leading a team based in six countries across Europe. 

Lightsource bp, constantly evolving. The enthusiasm and drive is amazing, we never consider what can’t be done but what has to be done to overcome challenges. We aim for huge unthinkable growth and then make it happen. Every day brings something new to do and I am also meeting new, amazingly talented colleagues week in week out. There is always someone to learn from, someone to laugh with and a real sense of team.

Zosia Riesner, Director of Power Markets Europe

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