Grigorios Varympopiotis
What is your background?
I am a mechanical engineer with energy engineering specialisation and hold a Master’s degree in Energy, Trade and Finance. My PhD is related to strategic investments for power plants. I come from Greece and joined ECA in 2013. I have since participated in due diligence studies, gas master plans, power sector development studies, tariff restructuring projects and infrastructure development projects for the electricity and the gas sectors in Europe, Central America and Africa.
What’s it like working at ECA?
Working at ECA means working with highly qualified and bright people, on interesting projects, in a friendly environment to provide the best quality of work.
How will ECA help my career development/help me improve my skill set?
Due to ECA’s structure you get increased responsibilities and exposures that will force you to improve your skills. On a daily basis you will interact with some of the most reputable and experienced people in the industry. Additionally, ECA organises training sessions to help you improve your weaknesses and develop your strengths.
What type of projects do you typically work on?
I am usually involved in energy projects. The range is wide, covering natural gas upstream and midstream projects, due diligence studies for power plants, electricity transmission and distribution studies, electricity market evaluations, tariff design for electricity markets and policy recommendations. The truth is that I never get bored undertaking different types of challenging worldwide projects which always match my interests.
Am I expected to present to clients? Who are the typical clients you work for?
Contact with clients is part of our work. Communicating with them directly helps you understand their actual needs to provide the consultancy advice that best matches their necessities. Sometimes you will also have to travel to meet the clients in person, or to provide training workshops.
Which countries have you covered in your time at ECA?
Benin, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, DRC, Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Kenya, Mozambique, Mauritania, Nigeria, Tanzania, Togo, Turkey, Vietnam and Zambia.
What is the best thing about working at ECA?
That I get to work in the industry I am passionate about, with colleagues who are both unique professionals and persons.