Flux50 Talk with Jan Jaeken, Flux50 chairman

Promoting Flemish businesses abroad, that’s a real challenge and an ambition we at Flux50 want to realize.

If you were to introduce yourself, what would Flux50 readers need to know about Jan Jaeken?
First of all, I was born in Antwerp 59 years ago. I spent my childhood years in Geel though, which makes me a true 'Kempenaar' (laughs). When I reached 40, I started fencing, a sport that requires great reflexes, as well as strength and concentration. It’s an intensive sport that teaches discipline. I often recommend it, it’s great for young and older people alike.

I graduated from KU Leuven as a business engineer. It was your classic race to the finish, starting out with over 100 students and ending up with only 10. I loved setting up interfaculty societies. It was quite a challenge, but really interesting.

After getting recruited on campus, my career took off at KPMG, where no less than 50 companies hit my radar in the first year alone. Those were dynamic times, in a company that loved to train young talent in the worlds of audit, management and tax consulting. After that, I ended up at Exxon Mobil for 16 years – the longest stint in my career. I built an impressive network and accumulated countless experiences, thanks to job rotations across different departments and countries.

So, how did you end up in the energy industry?
Well, a head hunter was looking for new blood in 2003. He convinced me of my chances of getting Dutch local energy companies involved in the flourishing free energy market. At the time, they were urgently seeking new opportunities abroad, specifically in Belgium. The challenge didn’t come without risk, having just left a comfortable position. But we had great ambition and successfully reached our targets.

Opportunities in life come and go, like trains passing. If it looks interesting, hop on. If not, wait for the next one to drive by. But don’t regret your decision later! The energy sector faces the same thing today. From the 1970s to 2000, everything was technical, and opportunities seemed more like threats, when threats often bring great opportunities!

Do you feel like you’re on the right train right now?
Definitely. It could have been worse, and if you asked me if I’d take the same train all over again, my answer would most likely be yes. The large-scale energy transition is just taking off at full speed now. Many international challenges lie ahead when it comes to energy, and if you compared it to the telecom industry when the market was opened up 10 years ago, there’s a world of difference.European energy companies are still too region-focused. They tend to cling on to national legislation. Meanwhile, Asia and the US are on the rise throughout the world.

What would it take to further develop this trend internationally?
Listed energy companies merging enhances their international nature – just look at Essent that was taken over by RWE, or Nuon by Vattenfall, or Lampiris by Total. Ghent-based EnergyVision now sells solar panels to China and Morocco! It goes to show that with a little ambition we’re not necessarily the ones that have to be absorbed. With perseverance, we too can reach the top of the global ladder. And that’s an ambition I’m willing to pursue with Flux50, promoting our companies abroad.
Technically speaking, building international connection grids like the Alegro line or the Nemo line is appealing. The last energy connection built dates back to 1918, between Belgium and Germany!

With your company Milvus, you have always been an active member of Smart Grids Flanders, and now Flux50. You’ve become Chairman of the board: how’s that going?
When I was asked to help develop a Flemish Energy Cluster company, together with Flemish energy corporations, to mitigate CO2-emissions, I leapt at the opportunity. How do you get companies interested in environmental investments that take years to turn a profit? And conversely, how do you get energy-woke companies in touch with those who want to take part in the transition? Well, you need a hands-on matchmaker. And that’s where I come in.

“A unique pioneer in the energy transition industry”

There’s a great difference between being a member and being chairman of the board. Your involvement takes you out into the field, away from the side lines. When I founded my companies, I often pioneered. That’s where I learned that being a team player is the key to success – and that 1 and 1 equals three.

Which companies have you founded during your career?
ENECO Belgium was founded in 2003, at my kitchen table. RWE Belgium followed in 2008. RWE Netherlands had slaughtered the competition. And for me, it was the perfect time to seek out new opportunities. After three years, we took over Essent and founded Powerhouse a bit later. That was the best energy trading school for me. Not many people have the right knowhow when it comes to cogeneration, which definitely adds value to the energy industry, especially in industrial sectors that often face fluctuating shortages and energy storage.

In 2016, I founded Samen Klimaatactief with a PPS [public planning service], on an 8-year contract. It was rolled out in Antwerp, but the scope extended to the whole of Flanders. It provides a platform and supports countless companies with energy efficient actions. Often, these actions aren’t implemented for various reasons: because they’re difficult to understand, because energy isn’t the core business of the company, etc. That’s why we offer different energy pathways for simple and more complex actions, with energy coaches to support the implementation. Relevance to the core business is emphasized, making energy saving investments financially more feasible.

I love to help inventors that develop new energy technology by launching them on our platform and within our network.

What’s the key to success when founding a company?
Surround yourself with people who have the same outlook. Who have what it takes. Work with fewer people if you have to, but don’t compromise on quality. Be ready for change. Be able to adapt and move quickly if you need to.

Is Flux50 doing a good job?
With over 150 members in under two years, yes, I think we’re doing a good job. I take on about five new members every year, the rest of the companies interested are handled by our account managers Heidi and Ariane.

This story is just getting started. For the next five years, we’ll be in the implementation phase and changes will be noticeable step by step. Take the car industry. There’s not one brand without an electric model. Five years ago, that would have been impossible.

We’ve got our work cut out for us internationally. When it comes to greater goals like the 'moonshots', I’m hoping we can get Flanders to the top in the global green and sustainable energy industry.

What’s your vision for the years to come?
We’re ranked in the top six countries with Demand Response Management, and that’s a trump card. Flemish knowledge, technology and research has to be promoted abroad and developed even further.

In his spare time, Jan gives an annual workshop on cultural differences between doing business in Belgium and in the Netherlands. After 20 years of working and living in the Netherlands, this half-day workshop is filled with great anecdotes and funny episodes. 

Contact jan.jaeken@milvus.be to find out more.