“When I was 18, I wanted to be a journalist,” Franck Neel admits, reflecting on a career that has since spanned decades in the energy industry. Today, he is a member of the Executive Board of OMV Petrom and the Chairman of the Romanian Employers’ Federation of Energy. But the path that led him here began with a defining moment in his early student years: “I did an internship in a company called Alstom… It was a factory in Normandy where they were building the largest transformers in Europe.” One particular experience sealed the deal: “They were simulating the lightning impact on the transformers… and when you are young, you are 20 years old, and you assist to that, I have to say it was very impressive”, he told at “WATTs Next”, the new podcast format by Energynomics, in a thorough conversation with Gabriel Avăcăriței and Paul Șerbănescu.
Engineer
Initially trained as a mechanical engineer, Neel spent the first phase of his career on the technical side. “My first years of my career were more in the engineering type of work.” But a pivotal moment came when his boss told him, “Frank, you are okay as an engineer, but you are much better to try to sell what you design.” That insight redirected his trajectory: “I spent seven years in mechanical engineering and design… and then I moved to do more marketing, sales of gas, sales of electricity.”
Neel’s hybrid profile—technical foundation with a business-oriented mindset—has proven valuable. “I did some asset development after, management of gas power plant and renewable power plant, but I have to admit more from a business point of view than a technical point of view.”
Commercial strategist
Asked how he defines his current role within OMV Petrom, Neel outlines a comprehensive scope: “We have the Upstream—exploration and production for gas and oil; the Downstream oil—refinery and marketing; and then we have the Gas and Power division.” It’s a domain that has expanded significantly: “What is new in the last six years is we have developed a lot of trading of gas… we produce electricity… and we also buy power.”
Franck Neel views the company’s strategy not as a static document but a living process. “To define strategy sometimes is the easy part… what we’re very proud of is the implementation.” Reflecting on OMV Petrom’s 2030 roadmap, he highlights its credibility: “We are in 2025 now, and when we see our progress and where we are… we have achieved quite a lot in terms of our portfolio.”
His leadership approach is rooted in adaptation and clarity of purpose: “The direction in terms of energy transition… stays in line with our target 2030… Sometimes you have to adapt the route and potentially the investment.”
Believer in Romania
Neel’s belief in Romania’s potential is consistent and vocal. “The potential resources in terms of wind, solar, hydro is also massive.” He often returns to the country’s natural advantages: “You have sun, wind, and water… the potential of brownfield land or low value land to be used for photovoltaic is quite impressive.”
His optimism extends to the workforce. “I’ve never seen so much innovation in the energy field since 35 years,” he says, pointing to technologies like SAF, carbon capture, geothermal, and SMRs. On artificial intelligence, he is equally positive: “There is a myth that AI will destroy jobs. I don’t believe in it.”
Beyond numbers and technologies, Neel underscores a disciplined work-life balance: “Don’t bring work at home during the weekend. This I never do.” And after years in multiple countries, he affirms: “If you think today, home is definitely Romania.”
His message to young professionals is equally clear-eyed and grounded: “If you talk about energy, first you have to make it simple. The role of energy is important in your life, in day-to-day. It is here for whatever you cook, you eat, you transport, etc. The role of energy is essential.”
In Franck Neel, Romania’s energy sector has not just a corporate executive, but a pragmatic strategist, a believer in innovation, and above all, a committed contributor to the country’s energy future.
“WATTs Next” is the new podcast by Energynomics dedicated to energy leaders, designed to provide a clear understanding of the people shaping the industry, their visions for the future and emerging challenges. Its main goal is to go beyond standardized answers and delve into the personal and professional perspectives of the interlocutor.
The interviews are structured in three essential directions:
- Shaping a personal and professional profile, providing an authentic picture of the career path and values of the interviewed leader.
- Analysis of the most current topics, to understand what’s next in the industry, what the implications are for companies and consumers, and what we should prepare for.
- Explanation of some essential concepts, by debunking myths and clarifying complex notions for a wider audience.
