GEN was started in 1997 by Gaston Hendriks, Eiko Dekkers and Nicholas Easham: an electrical engineer, an economist and a business administrator. The trio shared a passion for energy and specifically for renewable energy. On the eve of the energy market liberalization the three young entrepreneurs put together a portfolio of wind turbine farms. Nevertheless, with increasing regulatory pressure they decided to focus on their core competencies: energy process- and data-management. The wind farm was sold, and the foundation of today’s GEN was established.

Gaston Hendriks is involved daily with GEN through his position as Chief Knowledge Officer (CKO). As shareholders in the company, Eiko and Nicholas are still concerned with the developments. In 2004, Sam Collot d’Escury was appointed CEO of GEN.