“I love being back in India – it is a fascinating country to work in,” says Wendt. With a background in international politics and economics, Wendt’s focus in recent years has also shifted to energy policy and renewable energy. “Before taking on the role of Energy Counsellor at the Danish Embassy in India, I worked in Greenland’s renewable energy sector as chief growth officer in a state-owned energy company and as an additional secretary in the Greenlandic government,” he says. Wendt has also spent a few years in academia and holds a PhD, which he earned for research on how India negotiated the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights agreement under the World Trade Organisation.
The most exciting part of Wendt’s current role is working closely with colleagues across various Indian ministries. India and Denmark have a Green Strategic Partnership, and his role is to help facilitate and deepen this collaboration. “India has enormous potential to become both energy-independent and CO2-neutral, and Denmark is proud to share its experiences and lessons from our own green transition,” he says.
Offshore wind will be crucial for scaling up India’s renewable energy capacity and contributing to a stable 24/7 power supply. Denmark has a strong partnership with India in this area, and Wendt believes India will see significant developments in the offshore wind sector by 2026.
Wendt follows a Nordic management style based on trust. The assumption is that staff are competent and capable of solving problems independently, and they will reach out to management for advice or strategic direction when needed. There is also an expectation that employees will report issues or mistakes early, which makes micromanagement unnecessary. This style also relies on input and feedback from staff to make informed decisions. The flat social structure in the Nordic countries supports this trust-based management approach.
“I am an audiophile – I love listening to music on a high-quality stereo system and strive to get as close to an authentic sound as possible. It is both a passion and a way to unwind,” he says.
Wendt’s future goal is to achieve a fast and fair green transition in India. “The country needs to develop its economy and improve livelihoods for millions, which requires more energy. At the same time, the world must address man-made climate change. We all have a shared global responsibility to support India in this crucial journey,” he says.
