WindEurope has elected Andreas Nauen, chief executive of Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE), as its chairman for the next 18 months.
He will lead the trade body together with vice-chairman Nicolas Couderc, EDF Renewables executive vice president.
Nauen takes the reigns at a critical time for the industry with much of Europe aiming to reduce greenhouse gasses to net zero by 2050.
Governments are also keen to ensure that green energy forms the linchpin of economic recovery from Covid-19, with the EU planning to raise its 2030 ambition on emission reduction and renewables expansion.
Nauen, a mechanical engineer by background, has been SGRE’s chief executive since June when he made the move from being the firm’s offshore business CEO.
He has previously worked at SiemensWind Power, REpower/Senvion and the VDMA.
Mr Nauen said: “The European industry has proven to be in the driving seat of the development of wind energy globally. We have built strong skills, gained vast experience and developed a reliable value chain across the Continent.
“We must rely on all these attributes to take a big step towards the decarbonisation and electrification of the economy. We are in the right business, at the right time. Renewables have proven to be the most resilient source of energy amid the pandemic.
“Besides, the ambitious renewable objectives that governments are deploying around the world, such as the recently launched European Offshore Renewable Energy Strategy by 2050, makes us positive for an economic recovery based on clean energy.”
He added: “The path towards a just and sustainable energy transition is a collective task. It is a tremendous honor that my colleagues in the wind industry have chosen me to represent the interests of wind’s entire value chain.
“You have my commitment that we will work hard to make heard the voice of an industry that provides enormous industrial potential, technology leadership in addition to stable, clean energy supply.”
WindEurope is currently spearheading efforts to get to grips with the challenge of decommissioning in the sector.
Giles Dickson, chief executive of the trade body, said: “We’re delighted to have Andreas Nauen as our new Chair.
“Having one of world’s leading turbine manufacturers at the helm of WindEurope is a great asset to us. And Andreas knows the onshore and offshore wind business inside out.
“He’s an ideal person to steer what our industry does to deliver the energy transition and to help drive a green economic recovery in Europe.”
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