Eurelectric has appointed Leonhard Birnbaum, CEO and Chairman of the Board Management of E.ON, as its acting President.
Leonhard Birnbaum takes over the baton from Jean-Bernard Levy, Chairman & CEO of EDF, whom he has assisted as Vice-President of Eurelectric since June 2021.
During his presidency, Levy took decisive steps to put renewable and low-carbon electricity at the core of the European Green Deal and setting in stone the electricity sector’s commitment to a climate-neutral economy.
One of Birnbaum’s first endeavours will be to steer the industry at a time where several member states are seeing market interventions and contribute to the debate on a reform of the electricity market design.
In March, Eurelectric’s Board will elect a new Presidency team, composed of a President and two Vice-Presidents which will be effective as of June 2023.
Birnbaum said: “The electricity sector is facing unparalleled challenges. We are operating in an extreme environment with high prices, supply disruptions and frequent political interventions in the market. A key priority will be to strike a balance between customer protection and investor certainty.”
He added: “The decisions we will make in the coming months will be decisive for Europe’s future. They will determine our ability to invest our way out of this crisis to achieve cost-efficient, climate-friendly and secure energy supply and infrastructure to our citizens and industry. I am honoured to take the reins of Eurelectric at this important time.”