Zofia Szerszeń: from an internship to managing Axpo’s first biogas plant in Poland

How did you come to join Axpo?

I joined Axpo as an intern in September 2023, just as I was beginning my professional career in the energy sector. I initially supported the SME team with market analyses and later worked in the Pricing & Hedging team. I prepared quotations for business customers, analysed prices and margins, and worked with teams responsible for hedging energy volumes. This gave me a very solid foundation and helped me understand how the energy market works in practice.

Over time, I became increasingly interested in issues related to the energy transition. Renewable energy is close to both my interests and educational background, and biogas appeals to me in particular because it is a technology built around the idea of a circular economy. We use by-products and residues to generate energy, and the material left after the process can re-turn to agriculture as fertiliser. When I learned that Axpo was developing this area and acquiring its first operating renewable energy facility in Poland, I naturally wanted to get involved in the project.

What does your current role involve?

As a Project Manager & Operations Specialist in the Biogas team, I combine project and operational work. I support the management of the biogas company in Poland and the operation of our facility in Stare Ślepce, working with the on-site team, suppliers, technical partners and farmers.

My work includes contracts, planning, reporting, budgeting and coordinating the activities needed to keep the plant running efficiently. It is a very varied role. One day I may be discussing substrate deliveries or fertiliser collection; the next, I may be reviewing technical matters with specialists or preparing a report for the international team. I particularly value being able to spend time regularly in Stare Ślepce and learn from the operational team. When I started, many technical issues were entirely new to me. Today, I understand the process and the equipment that makes it work. I enjoy the balance between office work, managing the team and working at the facility itself. Seeing the plant in operation is a reminder that decisions, analyses and emails have a very real, tangible impact.

How do you work with the local community and partners?

The biogas plant in Stare Ślepce operates in a very specific local setting, which makes relationships with farmers and partners extremely important. We work together on substrate supplies and the use of fertiliser generated in the production process. In these conversations, trust, openness and a fair approach matter – especially when corporate requirements or contractual provisions are new to the other party. I always try to explain clearly what individual contract terms mean and to find solutions that work in practice.

Do people react differently to the fact that such a young woman is managing a biogas plant?

My experience has been overwhelmingly positive. Although the biogas sector – particularly its operational side – is still largely male-dominated, I work with people who judge me by my preparation, commitment and approach, rather than by my gender or age. Outside Axpo, a technical company or external partner may sometimes initially assume that someone else is responsible for the project and will be joining us shortly. However, once we start talking and get into the details, those assumptions usually cease to matter.

What is most challenging about working at a biogas facility?

A biogas plant is a complex organism: it combines a biological process, technical equipment, logistics, people and relationships with the local community. Many things need to be planned in advance, but operational work can always bring something unexpected. That is why flexibility, the ability to set priorities quickly and good communication are so important.

No two days are the same in this role. Sometimes you need to solve a technical problem quickly, sometimes revise a delivery plan, and at other times find common ground between multiple parties involved in a project. This variety requires resilience, but it also gives you a sense of agency – every situation is an opportunity to learn something new.

At the same time, operational work teaches humility. Not everything can be predicted in a budget or schedule, because the plant and the biological process follow their own rules. Good preparation, rapid information-sharing, flexibility and a team ready to act together when an unexpected challenge arises are therefore essential.

Substrate logistics are a particular challenge. Deliveries need to be coordinated with production, transport and storage capacity, and plans sometimes have to be updated in real time. In such situations, it is invaluable to have a competent, close-knit on-site team and partners who understand the specific nature of plant operations and can work together to find solutions.

What have you learned at Axpo, and what do you value most?

Working at Axpo has helped me develop in many ways. I have learned how to work with people with different specialisms and perspectives – from operators and technical specialists to business partners and international teams. I now also know that it is worth asking questions, even those that may seem too simple or naïve, seeking support and drawing on the experience of others.

I have also learned a great deal about communication and negotiation. A conversation with a local farmer, a contractor or a headquarters team requires different language, but respect, fairness and clear arrangements remain essential in every relationship. I try to explain com-plex issues simply and look for solutions that are understandable and workable for all parties.

This experience has also shown me that soft skills have a very practical dimension in this role. The ability to listen, adapt your language to the person you are speaking to and remain calm while coordinating several matters at once is invaluable. I place great value on acting fairly – it builds trust and often helps achieve an agreement, even in demanding negotiations.

I also greatly value the opportunity to help build an international biogas and biomethane pro-duction team from the ground up. I work with experienced specialists from Poland and other countries who are happy to share their knowledge. This trust gives me the space to take on increasingly responsible tasks, while also knowing that I can rely on the team’s support when things are more difficult.

Does Axpo’s organisational culture influence employees’ development?

Definitely. You can feel that the company’s organisational culture is based on collaboration, mutual trust and responsibility. I greatly appreciate that the people closest to a subject have a real influence on decisions and on how projects develop. This allows me to put forward solutions, learn continuously and take responsibility for my actions.

How do you see your future at Axpo?

I want to continue deepening my practical and operational knowledge of biogas production. I am interested in solutions that optimise plant operations from technical, reporting and economic perspectives. I would also like to use the experience gained at the current facility to support the development of future projects and build sound, scalable operational standards.

What would you say to someone who is keen to develop professionally?

I would encourage them to join us. Axpo is a great place for people who want to develop, are not afraid of challenges and enjoy taking the initiative – both for those at the start of their careers who want to learn and demonstrate what they can do, and for experienced specialists with ideas for innovation. At Axpo, people are trusted, given room to act and opportunities to prove themselves. When I joined the company in 2023, I would never have imagined that three years later I would be managing the work of a biogas plant. That shows just how much can be achieved here. You do not need to know everything from the outset – the most important things are curiosity, the ability to collaborate, a willingness to learn and the courage to explore the unfamiliar.