Meet the Team – Mónica Garrido
- What is your role in BNZ?
Currently, my position at BNZ as Head of HSSEQ (Health and Safety, Quality and Environment) is to ensure compliance with legal requirements in all the countries where BNZ is present with its projects: Italy, Spain and Portugal. As well as defining and implementing corporate strategies in these areas.
- ¿How long have you been working in the renewable energy sector?
I have been involved for 15 years in projects in the energy, applied engineering and construction sector and, for the last 3 years, I have been entirely dedicated to renewable energies.
- How do you think the sector has changed in these years?
Solar energy has experienced strong growth in recent years, especially in Southern Europe. I believe this is due to the fact that more and more actors, especially citizens and administrations, are becoming aware of the importance of decarbonising our economy and driving the energy transition. In recent years, we have also become more aware of the area of health and safety and it is increasingly receiving the importance and priority it deserves at every stage of a project.
- What are the main challenges for the sector in the coming years?
The main challenges I identify for the solar industry in the coming years is undoubtedly public awareness of renewable energies. Although we have come a long way in this respect, we still have a long way to go. Public administrations need to make an even greater commitment to renewables.
- And in the long term?
I hope that the area of environment, safety and health will be given the importance it deserves, because at the end of the day we are talking about people’s lives and what will be left for our children. We will certainly need as a society to understand the impact of health and safety, not only in the development of renewable energy projects, but also in our day-to-day lives.
- What does BNZ have that its competitors don’t?
There is a real commitment to the HSSEQ area, we do things out of conviction, not obligation. We always seek to ensure that compensatory actions and projects are agreed with the local administration or neighbourhood associations and we seek to transfer our commitment and sensitivity to the communities through social or environmental actions. We could sum it up by saying that we seek to be sensitive in all senses when we develop a solar project.
- How do you see BNZ in 5 years?
We combine a relatively young team with experience and a lot of proactivity. The enthusiasm, the commitment to the project, the cohesion and the integration of the team I believe will be the perfect ingredients for BNZ to explore its full potential in the future.
In 5 years’ time, I see BNZ as a well-established company with several solar parks in operation. I hope we can demonstrate what we are doing and position ourselves as the spearhead in the renewables sector, not only externally and in project development, but also internally: policies and measures that demonstrate a real commitment to talent.
- Which countries are making greater efforts for photovoltaic energy?
In Europe we are seeing how Germany, for example, is leading the energy transition and is home to the largest photovoltaic capacity despite not having the most ideal weather conditions.
- What would you ask the public administration to promote this type of clean energy?
Generally speaking, public administrations should become more aware and raise awareness of the benefits of renewable energies and the importance of health and safety. And to facilitate administrative procedures as far as possible.
- And the citizens?
We must become even more aware of the use of renewable energies and the impact of safety and health in our daily lives.
- What do you do in your day to day to reduce your carbon footprint?
I live in the outskirts of Madrid and, whenever I go to the city centre, I try to use public transport. If I have enough time, I also like to walk to places and enjoy the city. I usually walk for about an hour every day on my commute from home to the office.
I am very insistent on recycling and I try to raise awareness in my immediate circles about the importance of recycling. In addition, I always go shopping with reusable bags and use heating and air conditioning when it is really necessary.
In-Depth:
- A hobby: Backpacking, trekking and going to concerts: I’m a festival-goer.
- A country to travel to: It’s a wonderful country that has not yet been spoilt by tourism, and the people are amazing.
- A city to live in: I love Madrid and I love living here, but if I ever had to change my residence, I would go to Cádiz, without hesitation.
- An animal: Giraffe
- A movie: I’m a big fan of films from the 80s, and without a doubt, of all of them I’d go for E.T.. More recently, I really liked Jojo Rabbit.
- A book: Slam, by Nick Hornby
- A type of cuisine: Asian food, especially authentic Asian food cooked in stalls and street markets.
- A historical figure: Queen Elizabeth II. I don’t think any human being will ever see what that woman has been through again.
- A color: Green
