At Decade Energy, we’re building the infrastructure that will power the next era of electrified trucking.

As Senior Project Manager, Hugo Houghton plays a central role in that mission: guiding complex energy projects from early design through execution, and ensuring they are delivered efficiently, safely, and at scale.

With a strong focus on execution, Hugo approaches project development as a system to be optimised, so that Decade Energy’s battery energy storage (BESS) projects at depots are built with clarity, efficiency, and long-term performance in mind.

From Curiosity to Clean Energy

Hugo’s path into clean energy began with a long-standing fascination for building and understanding complex systems. From hands-on experimentation during his studies to an early interest in large-scale infrastructure, he was consistently drawn to projects where technical depth met real-world impact.

That curiosity crystallised during his teenage years, when he discovered nuclear power plants. Their vast, highly sophisticated systems operate at the intersection of engineering excellence and sustainability. Exploring how electricity is generated at scale led him to a defining insight: 

“If we resolve the energy storage constraints, electricity will become cheap and available pretty quickly. That’s why battery energy storage is, to me, a cornerstone of the energy transition.”

This conviction shaped his career choices. He began in nuclear energy to understand how highly complex, high-risk projects are structured and delivered, before transitioning into BESS which he sees as a cornerstone of the energy transition.

Learning to Build Differently

Before joining Decade Energy, Hugo spent almost four years at NW, a European BESS developer active across project development, grid integration, and delivery. Operating in a rapidly evolving market, NW plays a key role in enabling renewable integration through large-scale energy storage which is an ecosystem closely aligned with Decade Energy’s own mission.

Moving from the nuclear industry into a fast-growing BESS developer marked a major shift. Where nuclear projects rely on rigid planning and strict processes, NW offered an environment where much still had to be created, structured, and refined.

Working in a results-oriented setting, Hugo developed and implemented new methods and processes and, crucially, saw them succeed in practice. That experience reshaped his professional mindset and reinforced his ambition to focus on projects designed to serve future generations.

Why Decade Energy, Why Now?

When Hugo began looking for his next challenge, Decade Energy stood out for a clear reason: electric transportation only works if the power behind it is reliable, resilient, and built to scale.

Enabling the electrification of trucking, one of today’s most polluting industries directly aligned with that conviction. Decade Energy’s ambition also played a key role, with technology designed to anticipate future needs and the objective of becoming a market leader through innovation and thought leadership.

Equally important was the company’s structure. Small, high-ambition teams offer fast integration, broad responsibility, and a steep learning curve: an environment Hugo actively seeks out.

At Decade Energy, he brings deep experience in battery project development across France and Europe, alongside a strong operational mindset.

Looking Ahead

While Hugo is an engineer by training, he places particular value on the human side of project development.

Building strong relationships with clients, partners, and colleagues, and navigating the unpredictability that comes with them, is where he expects to learn the most. These interactions constantly challenge assumptions, push projects forward, and require adaptability far beyond what technical models alone can provide.

“I love organising disorganised processes. I see project development like a factory, and I hope to bring a lean, efficient approach to how we build.”

Beyond Decade Energy

Outside of work, Hugo channels his creativity through music. He spent nearly ten years playing drums in a band and recorded an EP, still available on SoundCloud.

Today, while no longer part of a band, he continues to perform as a DJ, playing at festivals across Europe during the summer months.

The energy transition is collaborative and moving fast, and we’re proud of the team we’re building at Decade Energy. Stay tuned as we continue to grow, scale, and share what we’re learning along the way.

Curious to connect, collaborate, or work with us? We’d love to hear from you.

hello@decade.energy