The energy transition will not be defined by projects, regulations and capital alone. It will depend on the people who develop, finance, build, trade and operate renewable assets across Europe. Tuba Ersoy, Chief People Officer at Enery, explains why green jobs and talent strategy are becoming decisive factors for the transition in Central and Eastern Europe.
When Enery says that people are the company’s greatest asset, it’s not just an empty phrase: With more than 30 nationalities represented, Enery’s team reflects the inclusive and global culture it is building, each day celebrating the expertise and passion of the team’s diversity. Nobody knows this better than Tuba Ersoy. With more than 20 years of international HR leadership experience across global organizations and multiple industries, Enery’s Chief People Officer recognizes the impact and importance of green jobs. And she knows what skills will be needed to shape the next decade in renewables. In this expert talk, Tuba explains how Enery is able to embed sustainability, attract talent and build resilient teams across borders.
How important are green jobs these days, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe?
Tuba Ersoy: Green jobs are at the heart of the energy transition. They turn climate and energy challenges into real projects with measurable impact. Without skilled people, this transformation simply cannot happen. In CEE in particular, renewable energy has become much more than an environmental topic. Rather, it is now a strategic priority tied to energy independence, resilience and long-term competitiveness. That also gives green jobs a strong sense of purpose. People can clearly see why their work matters, and this shared mission creates alignment across teams, countries and functions. It is one of the reasons why interest in sustainability is growing across all age groups and professional backgrounds.
Which skills are essential, and which will become even more important over the coming years?
Today, success in renewable energy requires a combination of technical expertise, project management, an understanding of regulations, and commercial awareness. Collaboration skills and the ability to pursue cross-functional collaboration in an international, fast-moving environment are other factors that are just as important. Looking ahead, the profile is going to become broader. Hybrid systems, battery storage and digital solutions require systems thinking rather than siloed expertise. Data literacy, automation and digital asset management will all become more significant. At the same time, adaptability will be critical. Technologies, markets and regulations are evolving quickly, so continuous learning, reskilling and ownership beyond traditional role boundaries will increasingly define top performers.
Purpose and sustainability are often highlighted in the renewable energy sector. How do you make sure these values are truly embedded in everyday work?
At Enery, sustainability is not an abstract concept or a communications exercise; it is part of how we work every day. We translate it into clear expectations and measurable action. Sustainability-related objectives are embedded in our KPIs, which means purpose is directly linked to performance, accountability and ownership. That makes it a shared responsibility across the business rather than a topic owned by only one area. We also continuously listen to our people. Our regular pulse surveys show that employees experience these values quite distinctly in their daily work.
Enery’s portfolio spans photovoltaics, wind power and hybrid projects with battery storage. How does this affect recruitment, learning and workforce planning?
We have to look far beyond traditional role definitions. Solar, wind and hybrid systems each bring specific technical, regulatory and operational challenges, so we look for people who combine profound expertise with openness to interdisciplinary collaboration. In recruitment, we prioritize both specialist knowledge and strong soft skills. We need experts in engineering, grid integration, storage technologies and digital systems, but we also value people who understand the broader project life cycle from development to asset management. From a people perspective, continuous development is essential. As hybrid solutions gain relevance, workforce planning becomes more strategic because we are not only hiring for today’s needs, but also for the capabilities required for the next phase of growth.
Your teams bring together many nationalities, disciplines and cultural backgrounds. How does this diversity shape leadership, collaboration and decision-making at Enery?
Diversity is one of our strongest assets. Today, our organization includes colleagues from 33 different nationalities, and that naturally broadens the way we look at challenges and opportunities. It requires inclusive leadership, transparency and strong cross-border communication. Leaders need to create an environment in which different perspectives are encouraged and alignment is built through open dialogue. Diversity improves the quality of collaboration and decision-making. When operational, commercial and corporate teams approach the same issue from different angles, decisions tend to become more robust, future-oriented and resilient. When managed well, this mix of perspectives is a real competitive advantage.
Speaking of competition: How does Enery position itself as an attractive employer?
In renewable energy, salary alone is never enough. People want to understand the impact of their work, and that is one of Enery’s strongest advantages. Our employees can clearly see how their contribution supports Europe’s energy transition and energy security. We also offer growth, ownership and international exposure. As a fast-growing company operating across multiple markets and technologies, Enery gives people the opportunity to work on complex projects and take real responsibility early on. At the same time, credibility matters. People look for transparent leadership, clear values and a culture they can trust. In that sense, our employer positioning is built on a combination of purpose, development and entrepreneurial energy.
Central and Eastern Europe is a highly diverse region. What challenges and opportunities does that create for recruitment, leadership and corporate culture?
CEE is highly diverse in its economic, cultural and regulatory spectrum, and that creates both complexity and opportunity. Each market has its own pace of development, talent pool characteristics and business expectations, so hiring strategies and leadership approaches need to be adapted locally. What works in one country cannot simply be copied into another. At the same time, this diversity is highly enriching. It broadens the talent pool, strengthens cross-cultural collaboration and makes the organization more resilient. One of our biggest learnings is that consistency should not be confused with uniformity. A strong employer value proposition needs a clear common core, but it also needs enough flexibility to reflect local realities.
From your perspective, what makes Enery an exceptional employer and how do employees experience the company today?
What makes Enery truly stand out is the combination of a powerful purpose and exceptional people. Our teams are often described as passionate, smart, supportive, results-oriented and highly motivated. As our internal surveys show, employees experience Enery as a dynamic, collaborative and fast-growing organization where initiative is encouraged and ideas can be tested quickly. They appreciate the ownership they are given, the entrepreneurial speed in decision-making and the supportive culture built on open feedback and inclusion. Many also refer to our strong regional footprint in CEE, solid financing capacity as well as effective tools and technologies as all being important enablers. Together, these elements create an environment where talented people can contribute in meaningful ways while growing with the organization.
Finally, why are you personally excited to work with and for Enery?
What motivates me most is the opportunity to contribute to a meaningful purpose in a fast-moving and entrepreneurial environment. Enery combines strong commercial execution with work that has real long-term impact. I also find it inspiring to work alongside exceptional people from many different nationalities and backgrounds, all bringing energy, expertise and different perspectives to the table. For an HR professional, it is incredibly rewarding to support such a talented and purpose-driven group while helping to build an organization that is growing across the region. Being able to do that in a company whose mission genuinely matters is a very special opportunity.