Meet our Asset Manager, Hiuri Doria Lima

Q&As with Hiuri

Who are you?
My name is Hiuri Lima, a guy from Brazil with a not-so-Brazilian first name, who a couple of years ago tried to move to Australia, but ended up coming to Denmark and could not be happier about how life was unraveled in these past years. I also happen to be a mechanical engineer with a master’s in energy systems, and most of all, passionate about the energy sector and the many possibilities it has for impacting the world as we know it.

How would you describe yourself?
I am a goal-oriented, determined person who does not save efforts to get what I want, being that adjusting my habits and routine to work on a project I truly desire or sprinting towards a tennis ball to score a point. I am very loyal to my friends and will always find time for them, as I believe the relationships you make are the most important (intangible) asset one can have in life. Overall, I am an easygoing guy that loves to share experiences, play any game, or sport one might propose, and have a good time enjoying what life gives us every day.

What do you do at European Energy?
I am a manager in the Department of Asset Management, responsible for the commercial and technical operation of assets in Brazil, and solely commercial in the UK, Spain, and (a tiny one in the) Maldives. I manage the OPEX assumptions for our operating assets, and more specifically in the 20 SPVs under my portfolio. I verify every expense, supplier, and contract held, while providing budgets, financial reports, and the best solutions to reduce costs and increase our profits. As not all managed assets are owned by European Energy, I am also responsible for maintaining the relationship with external investors to guarantee their satisfaction with the asset performance, and hopefully, leave them the feeling that more power plants can be bought by them and operated by our team.

How do you try to be a creative enabler of the green transition?
I strongly believe that creativity is sparkled by dialectical thinking, through the exchange of different opinions and perspectives. I like to discuss about different technologies, their purpose, benefits, and how worthy it is to chase their development over one or another, bringing long-term considerations that might sound idealistic to some and pragmatic to others. I don’t think there is a right or wrong way to pursue the green transition, but certainly, one that is more viable, on which numbers, analysis, and studies are the best way to prove the dedication towards its worth. Those will not be provided by one single person, so I try to reach out to as many people as I can, sharing and receiving knowledge that might someday, create in me or others, a tiny change that will make the world better.

What are the best things about working at European Energy?
The people and light-mood environment it has. I appreciate how the company has always been able to remember celebrating important moments and victories, embracing the enthusiasm and ambition to bring new challenges. The easy-to-reach mentality, for me, contributes enormously to this, as it shows true concern about the people who are working with you, and therefore the entire organisation they represent.

Why is it important for you that European Energy is a driving force in the green transition?
The passion and commitment shared by many within the company to build a better world are inspiring and should be rewarded with the proper results. I see that European Energy is always looking to be in the vanguard of new technology development, and I believe that is incredibly important to take society out of the inertia of working in only assured wins. Disruption requires some risk, and no great development was first drafted while bringing its best outcome – the first steam engines were made at the end of the 17th century and had an efficiency below 1% – If it were not for the centuries of further development, we would not have the machinery we have today. Of course, this risk must be balanced, and I see European Energy properly using its portfolio to manage an optimised risk-reward return.

What are the best things about your colleagues?
They have a great sense of group and loyalty, sticking together and going through anything within their reach to deliver excellence and assure you also do. I have moved to Denmark for this position I work at, and my colleagues are those that make me feel thankful to be where I am.

European Energy has six core values. In it together, Excitement, Inclusion, Agility, Trust & Courage, and Ambition. What are the most important values for you and why?
Not minimising the importance of others, but for me “ambition” and “in it together” are, as a combination, the most important ones. Ambition defines the inquietude of wanting something better, and I believe we need that in the world we live in, being the company we are. However, it should never overpass the fact that we are all equal living beings, that must be respected and considered, so the ambition does not become egoism.

What has been your best experience so far at European Energy?
My first “task”, which was a site visit, to Coremas, Brazil. The plant is in a quite remote location, for which I had to take an 8-person flight for 2 hours, followed by 1.5 hours of driving to get to the solar plants. Besides being a unique experience, traveling in such small aircraft where you can see the entire flying control board, this trip gave me a clear understanding of how complex it can be to own, construct, and operate plants that are often in remote locations. The effect of such conditions can be underrated, as well as the implications of unseen details if not experienced. I felt very grateful to have that opportunity, and excited to learn more about the daily activities in the power plants. I must say though that in a very close position are our incredible team building activities, company trips, Friday bars, and other social activities in which I had tons of fun and got to make friends with my colleagues.

What do you like to do outside work?
I like to get to know different places and activities while traveling, and more of as a routine, practicing sports, especially racket sports, and doing hands-on activities such as building marble mazes or LEGO®. Every different place I have been has influenced a bit of the person I have become today, and I think it is very funny to look back and get those memories back. I feel like I have a quite fair amount of energy, on a daily basis, and really enjoy spending it proportioning new adventures for me and people I am close to.