You’ve worked in green business as well as property, how do they compare? 

The wind farm business is actually rather close to real estate devleopment. It’s a typical development in that you need to find the location, which is no different than in real estate where it’s all about location. But in wind farms, you need the land, you need the wind and you need a connection. 

Poland isn’t famous for its wind. Where in Poland do you find good conditions for wind farms?

Renewable energies, including wind, only work because of subsidies. Without them, it doesn’t work, financially speaking. Poland is no more or less windy than Germany, but in Germany the green movement started in 1980’s, and they started to develop the wind business some time ago, so Germany is now first in Europe with 26,000 MW installed and Spain is second with 22k. It’s a matter of financial structures and subsidies. 

Of course, in general the best place of Poland is in the north near the coast, and then there are something interesting spots to the south, but it’s very local. Wind is always very local, so you have to make real measurements or 12 months before you can decide if the site is worth it. 

What did you study? How is it connected to what you do now?

I studied thermodynamics, though I think I’ve forgotten most of it. I finished my masters degree in mechanical engineering in 1995 when there were no real environmental degrees in Europe, though the US had them. But at HDR Engineering, we were the consultants for the New York city department of sanitation. So we were in charge of analyzing and finding solutions for all the solid waster, which is 12,000 tons per day. We were dealing with waste, but also incineration, co-generation, that’s the magic word today but it’s been around for 80 years, ad a bit of water and air pollution control systems. 

How would you describe the change in attitudes. 

I lived in the US from 1996 to 2001. It would have been very difficult to find anyone in France who was doing recycling at home. It was quite usual in the US, NYC was doing well, but even in the Mid-west there were a lot of cities that were recycling for a long time. In France, recycling is now quite usual. It’s getting there in Warsaw though there’s a lot of room to improve. But in general, I think people became aware because of politics. Because politics started to be interesting.

Are you in the green business because you’re a true believer or because you think it’s good business?

It’s both. I’m not going to tell you it’s just because I believe in it. In fact I challenge you to find many people who are in green business only because they believe in it. Though I do know some guys who have been in wind for the past 25 years, and I can say they are true believers. It’s important, of course, that somewhere or somehow you feel that you’re doing something useful. 

Do you only work green or do you live that way too?

I’ve been in this business for a long time, so we do as much recycling as possible. We have a fireplace at home so we use a lot of wood, since that’s supposed to be neutral in terms of carbon emissions. We also try to limit our electricity consumption. People need to things like avoiding leaving electrical devices on when you don’t need them. It’s very simple and if everyone did it, we’d be saving a few percentage points in energy consumption. And a few percentage points in savings means a lot fewer tons of carbon in the air. Also, I don’t have a car.

Is Warsaw managed sustainably?

In a way, the history of Warsaw is that you have a good mass transport system. The trams are very good and efficient. There’s only one metro line but it’s also quite efficient. But I think Warsaw needs to limit the use of cars in the city. It’s time to do it. 

What was your first impression of Poland?

It was Easter of 2003, it was very gray, and it was snowing a lot. I thought ‘God what an ugly city.’ But then it grows on you. Warsaw is a city where you have to get over your first impression. It’s actually OK. It’s not beautiful and it won’t be because of history. But certainly in terms of quality of life it’s very good. It’s easy to meet people and you can fly almost everywhere. It’s not as stressful as it is in Paris or London, it’s a bit more laid back, and it’s good for business. I’ve been to Prague, but I’d never live there.

Why?

It’s a Disneyland type of city. It’s beautiful, don’t get me wrong. It’s a very personal thing, but I think Warsaw is better.

What sports do you do?

I go twice a week to the gym and work with a trainer, because if I don’t have one then I don’t do anything. And I jog for an hour on the weekends. If I can, I’ll go doing the week as well, but that’s difficult. I also like going skiing. We go to France, because my family lives near the Alps, so I use the opportunity to visit them. I’ve been to Zakopany. It’s beautiful but it’s very small so it’s OK for a weekend. 

Is that what you did over the holidays?

No, we went to south India. I hadn’t taken a vacation in a year, so this time we went for three weeks.

What were your impressions?

It’s going to be a major, massive country in terms of the economy, the army, and diplomacy, it’s very impressive.

Are you planning a major trip for the summer?

We’re thinking about going to the east coast of the United States this autumn, to visit some friends and to see Boston and the Cape Cod area and then go up to Canada.

Have you made any New Year’s resolutions?

To think less about work and more about my wife and my own life. 2009 was a difficult year as it was for many people.

What are you reading at the moment?

I love reading. History books in particular. Recently, I read La Pologne which is a history of Poland. I wish I had read it earlier as it helped me understand so many things about Poland. Also recently, I finished “Jan Karski” by Yannick Haenel, a book on the Polish wartime hero [Karski reported to the West on the situation of Jews in occupied Poland, as well as on the organization of the Polish underground state]. 

Right now I’m reading a fascinating, but quite difficult book, “The Kindly Ones” by Jonathan Littel – a very detailed and suggestive account of war in Europe.” It’s unbelievable. It reminds me of the way Proust went into detail, but I don’t think anyone has gone so far in being able to describe what one person can think and feel. I’m almost done.

Any other hobbies?

I’m also a wine lover and I’ve got a big wine cellar in my Warsaw home. I usually bring wines directly from France, from Burgundy, which is my home region. You can get some of them here in Warsaw but they’re at least double the price. Actually, when I was in India, I discovered that the Indian wines were shockingly good. So is Indian champagne. There’s no guarantee at all that you’d be able tell an Indian wine or champagne if you blind-tested them along with established wines. I haven’t seen any Indian wine in Europe, though. It might be an undiscovered business niche.

What’s the best wine you’ve ever tasted?

Grand Echezeau, 1969.