Green Energy Republic is starting a new series called In The Sunlight. We will be interviewing members of the Good Energy team about their role in the company, why they support the Good Energy vision and how they personally contribute to achieving a greener environment.

First up is Head of Generation Services, Hugo House.

Can you explain a little bit about your role at Good Energy?

I am responsible for the propositions that we offer renewable-generators; especially those on a small business or domestic level. These are the people who support our home grown energy ethos, as they are using the energy and also producing it on a local level. With the introduction of our new Feed-in Tariff there are massive opportunities available and our schemes are adapting in order to deliver these new offerings to our customers.

We want to help people on every step of the journey. If people are considering becoming a generator, then we want to give them the information that they need to be able to make the right choice. Some homes, businesses or farmers won’t have the right resources to become a generator, so first we help them identify whether it is possible. If it is possible we find the right technology and the right company to help install it. Then, once successfully installed, we want to pay them for the power they generate. There is a massive amount of interest and activity and we are currently recruiting about 50 new generators a month.

Why do you support Good Energy’s vision?

Good Energy’s model for business is very inclusive and allows people to engage in the ways they want to. If people want to become a generator then we can help and support them in doing that. Others might dearly love to become a generator, but they can’t because they don’t have the right resource or situation. If this is the case, by signing up to Good Energy’s home grown electricity we give them the ability to support independent renewable generation.
It is inclusive because we want to give everybody a role in changing the way we make energy. A lot of electricity companies are just concerned with owning the generating assets, selling the electricity to their supply company and then selling on that electricity to their customers, so the customers are just at the end of a line. Whereas I believe we are empowering our customers to be part of a continuous circle.

How do you personally contribute to achieving a greener environment?

For me it is about your approach to life. I have just had a week long holiday and I spent it at home and it was the best week I’ve had off in ages – I managed to spend time on my allotment, where I grow my own vegetables, and pottered around the house fixing things to make them a bit more efficient. I try to cycle to work through the summer, which is a beautiful journey through the country lanes of the Cotswolds. This keeps me fit and helps me wind down after work.

I haven’t flown for about five years and I don’t miss it. Instead, I’ve become a massive fan of the Eurostar. I have a young family and children bring a huge amount of joy, but you want to give them the best, and providing for them takes a huge amount of resources. My wife and I are always glad to receive second hand toys and clothes and when we need to buy new things, we try hard to make sure they have been made sustainably, and will last.