Meet our Head of Southeast Europe, Michael Viberg Pedersen

Q&As with Michael

Who are you?
My name is Michael Viberg Pedersen. I was born in the middle of the 1970s in Hirtshals, Denmark. I’m married and have four sons aged 9-21 and live in a former farmhouse with 6 hectares of land with a small lake, forest and meadow. I have a (very varied) background as Captain in the Royal Danish Army (currently active in the reserves), former diplomat where I served as Commercial Attaché, Head of Mission and Consul of Denmark, Investment Banker, Management Consultant, International Sales Manager in the luxury goods industry and renewable energy (across several jobs).

How would you describe yourself?
I am very much a doer with a large portion of figure-it-out-itude and drive to get stuff fixed and done. I am extroverted and a “people person” and thrive working with my team. I am a super positive person and very enthusiastic in everything I do.

What do you do at European Energy?
I am responsible for Southeast European markets where we have several local offices and teams, supported by my HQ team. I have also built up markets in Estonia and Latvia, which have now been built into the Baltic region.

How do you try to be a creative enabler of the green transition?
I am a creative enabler by thinking out of the box and getting things done, not letting me or my team be limited by “conventional wisdom” and doing things that have never been done. I lead from the front, doing my part but also realize that to lead, I have to get others to do their part. But if things are not done, I will do them myself if needed to reach the desired result.

What are the best things about working at European Energy?
I love the can-do attitude and the joyful atmosphere in the office, both with my own team members and colleagues from other teams and departments.

Why is it important for you that European Energy is a driving force in the green transition?
We have the skills within project development and renewable PV and wind projects, and we have the courage to take risks within Power-to-X and go where others have never gone. We do things right and understand the need to take urgent action to drive the green transition.

What are the best things about your colleagues?
In the smaller circle of my team in HQ and in the markets, it is definitely that we are working together towards a shared goal, helping each other and taking care of each other. In the broader group in European Energy, the feeling of joint ambition of a greener future is also genuine, but on a day-to-day basis, it is the openness and willingness to share knowledge and experience about complex issues.

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?
I really cannot single one out as all of them apply to me in my work and my team, and they are regularly brought up in our daily interactions.

What has been your best experience so far at European Energy?
Well, crossing a finish line is always satisfying, so taking the first project in Latvia to the final investment decision was rewarding. But it was also a great experience having the whole team from six markets in Denmark for team building and competence development, which knitted us closer. And on a personal level as a leader, the recent regional change taking over new markets and bringing new colleagues into the regional team and rolling out shared ways of working to improve efficiency and throughput.

What do you like to do outside work?
I spend a lot of time outdoors, mainly at home in my “little farm” doing various chores and projects, playing with the children or having friends or family over. I also enjoy other things outdoors, from fishing and hunting to sailing or trekking or just enjoying various natural phenomena on micro or macro levels, from meteors and stars to insects and mushrooms.