Our centre of expertise in Lausanne

It’s just a year since the opening of our new offices in Lausanne, Western Switzerland. But in that time Axpo has successfully established a fully operational competence centre housing around 20 specialists across renewable energy, trading and infrastructure. We sat down recently with Laurent Nanzer, Head of Origination in Switzerland, to discuss what goes on there, how its integrated structure strengthens Axpo's market position, and find out what drives the man behind the centre’s success.

Laurent, congratulations on the first anniversary of the new Lausanne offices. Let’s start by looking back a couple of years. How did Axpo establish itself in the “Suisse Romandie”, the French speaking part of Switzerland?

Overall, I’d say we followed a thoughtful and progressive approach.

Axpo’s presence in Lausanne dates back 15 years, and this relocation marks our third move within the city.

Today, we’re celebrating this evolution by occupying a considerably more spacious office. This expansion demonstrates the strategic importance that French-speaking Switzerland represents for Axpo and our commitment to supporting the energy transition in this vital region.

Why was the move to the new offices strategically important? Has it changed anything in collaboration or client relationships?

Our Grid department, in particular, has experienced significant expansion thanks to the numerous mandates signed in the market, and we needed adequate facilities to accommodate these sector specialists.

We also welcomed new collaborators and brought together experts from various departments to establish a real centre of excellence in Lausanne. This consolidation has been transformative, making a substantial impact on collaboration and client relationships.

By creating this competence centre under one roof, our clients now have direct access to comprehensive expertise across all their energy needs. They can find answers to all their questions in their own language and within their region.

Who are your clients and what products and services do you provide them?

From an origination perspective, we serve a diverse range of clients with a comprehensive portfolio. We offer everything from traditional supply contracts to structured products such as options, as well as a whole range of new solutions such as flexibility pricing and PPAs.  In recent years, we've concluded several landmark deals that demonstrate our capabilities. For instance, we're supplying Nestlé in Switzerland with green electricity from our Mauvoisin hydropower plant in Valais—a five-year agreement that showcases our ability to structure complex physical PPAs for major industrial clients.

Beyond origination, with our competence centre in place, we can support clients across the entire spectrum: grid infrastructure, substations, batteries, solar installations, and wind projects. We are a comprehensive solution provider capable of developing and implementing complex energy strategies for industrial companies and distributors across Switzerland.

What do you offer to clients that is unique in the market? Why do clients choose Axpo?

We distinguish ourselves through three core pillars. First, we develop bespoke, innovative solutions tailored to each client's specific needs. That could be a long-term PPA, a complex physical or financial structure, or a comprehensive energy strategy.

Second, we combine deep market expertise with a genuine focus on our customers. Partnering with our clients helps us better understand their energy challenges and deliver innovative solutions that really work for them.

But what truly sets us apart is our integrated competence centre here in Lausanne, which enables us to address every aspect of a client's energy needs, from strategic origination through to physical infrastructure development and implementation.

Tell us more about your role as Head of Origination Switzerland.

Origination is never the same two days in a row: that’s what I love about it. The role demands genuine versatility. On any given day, I might be engaging with customers or partners, political stakeholders, exploring innovative deal structures, collaborating with the trading floor and the portfolio managers, or managing risk.

At its core, the job of an originator is equally diverse. They have to forecast energy production and consumption, and must minimise and manage risks. The originator’s job is made all the more challenging by the fact that each counterparty, each project and each region is unique, and the environment is also changing constantly. 

You’ve been with Axpo for more than 16 years. Many of your colleagues have also been with Axpo for a long time. Why do you think that is?

First and foremost, it's never boring!

But beyond the work itself, there's something distinctive about our culture. We have an exceptionally strong team spirit and a low turnover. People genuinely enjoy collaborating with one another, and that creates an environment in which people want to stay.

What does successful leadership mean to you? Which values are most important to you in this regard?

I believe in giving my team genuine autonomy and responsibility. I don't micromanage. I trust my people to make decisions and own their work.

I see my role as removing obstacles and finding resources. When the team faces challenges, I'm there to support them and help them navigate difficult situations.

What's equally important is that leadership is a two-way street. My team teaches me constantly. I'm open to feedback, and I actively seek to learn from their expertise.

How do you recharge away from Axpo?

By spending time with my family and friends. Beyond that, skiing in winter and golf in summer are essential for me. Evian, just across the border, is one of my favourite golf destinations. I'm also a keen traveller and Japan remains a dream destination on my to-do list.