I started my career at Shanghai Environment Group, a company specializing in solid waste treatment and biomass energy—technically part of the renewable energy sector. As a Financial Analyst, my primary focus was accounts receivable analysis across nearly a hundred project subsidiaries, tracking revenue streams from renewable energy subsidies and electricity sales to the grid. This role was my first real exposure to energy markets and power systems—a field I quickly became fascinated with.

Over time, I developed expertise in financial modeling and policy impact analysis, translating regulatory changes into quantifiable business outcomes. One of my key responsibilities was conducting sensitivity analyses on CNY 800M+ receivables, assessing how policy shifts could impact outstanding payments and future profitability. I also built data validation systems that improved financial reporting accuracy, identifying and correcting CNY 20M in discrepancies across 260 accounts—because, as it turns out, numbers don’t always behave themselves.

Beyond financial analysis, I took on project management and strategic decision-making responsibilities. I consolidated budget proposals from 52 project companies, ensuring compliance and flagging anomalies for senior management. I also played a key role in the due diligence process for a HKD 61.1 billion landfill project, conducting profitability assessments, cost evaluations, and feasibility analyses.

One particularly rewarding aspect of my work was contributing to international business expansion. Leveraging my cross-cultural communication skills, I collaborated with the marketing department on bidding for overseas landfill projects, preparing financial reports, profitability forecasts, and joint venture cost assessments—equipping leadership with the data they needed to make strategic decisions.

In 2022, I was awarded "Best Employee of Finance Department" in my department, a recognition of my commitment to data-driven decision-making and analytical rigor. While I valued the experience and stability, I realized that solid waste treatment is just a small piece of the renewable energy puzzle. Driven by a desire for continuous learning, bigger challenges, and broader impact, I made the decision to step out of my comfort zone and explore new frontiers in energy and sustainability.

From financial analysis to policy-driven forecasting, my experience at Shanghai Environment Group gave me a front-row seat to the intersection of finance, energy, and regulation—a perspective that continues to shape my journey today.