Meet Our Energy Movers
Meet Toon Hooyberghs
Technical Originator
Department: Belgian Renewable Energy Trading & Origination
Location: Belgium
Employed since: 2019
What made you make the move to Centrica Energy?
I always found myself being drawn to the energy industry. It’s the combination of complexity, the constant change and the impact it has on everything in our world, from geopolitics to how we heat our houses and fuel our cars.
I joined Centrica Energy initially to further fuel my interest in this fascinating area. From this point on it has been an exciting ride, where there has not been a dull moment since. A lot of opportunities have risen on our path and looking back to my starting point, I can truly see the massive transition we’ve been through.
What does an Originator do?
An Originator is ultimately someone who connects the organisation to the outside world. We connect with external parties, maintain the relationships and build business from these relationships.
I use my technical background to interpret and translate the technical aspects of our business into commercial opportunities and value for both my colleagues and our customers. I use a broad market understanding to structure often complex agreements with a variety of different counterparties, like investors in grid scale batteries or developers of renewable energy like wind parks. To be successful, I need to have a close alignment with all the internal stakeholders, to ensure that all parties are aligned to execute the agreements.
Meet Toon Hooyberghs, Originator
Working as an Originator, Toon are connecting and building commercial partnerships with external counterparts, structuring complex long-term agreements with a variety of different customers, like investors in grid scale batteries or developers of renewable energy like wind parks. Discover more about what it means to be a Technical Originator at Centrica Energy.
What’s your favourite thing about being an Energy Mover at Centrica Energy?
We operate in a market that is undergoing a massive transition, which makes my job challenging but also extremely exciting. This combination ensures that I’m constantly challenged and fulfils one of my personal goals: learn something new every day. Also I am extremely grateful for being able to work with some extremely talented colleagues. We truly have some of the industry’s brightest minds on board at Centrica Energy.
Can you tell us about an achievement you’re proud of?
I’m extremely proud that I’m ensuring that all parties involved in the agreements that we make are comfortable so we can execute them – and that it results in bringing more renewables into the grid.
It’s difficult to pick one but closing the agreement for the first 4h BESS asset in our portfolio is probably one of the best out there. Still I am always convinced that the biggest ones are still out there in the future.
We are operating in a market that is undergoing a massive transition. This makes my job challenging but also extremely exciting. This combination ensures me being constantly challenged and fulfils one of my personal goals: Learn something new every day.
Toon Hooyberghs
Technical Originator
What’s your best advice for someone wanting to make the move and join the energy industry?
As said, this market is constantly moving, so keeping an open mind is crucial. The energy industry is a vast landscape, with a lot of challenges and opportunities, there is clearly a need for a lot of different profiles, so if you have a personal motivation to enter this industry I would say: Make your move!
What should someone dreaming of becoming an Energy Mover know about Centrica Energy?
What is great about Centrica Energy is that it has the advantages of a large organiaation, but yet we remain agile. I feel there is a high amount of transparency from the leadership team with regular sessions on milestones and strategy, a culture of open and direct communication. Centrica Energy really invests in taking care of the employees and facilitating good relationships between them.