Vestas CEO becomes new chairman of WindEurope

Henrik Andersen, CEO of Vestas, has been elected as the new Chairman of the European wind energy industry association WindEurope.

Henrik Andersen will take over the position for a period of 18 months and will lead an organization with over 600 member companies and around 300,000 associated jobs across the entire wind energy value chain.

Rasmus Errboe, CEO of Ørsted, has also been appointed as Vice Chairman.

- It is an honor for me to take on the role of Chairman of WindEurope during this important period for both Europe and wind energy. I look forward to working closely with Vice-Chair Rasmus Errboe and would like to thank WindEurope's members for their trust in me as Chairman for the next 18 months, says Henrik Andersen in a press release.

The election of Henrik Andersen comes at a crucial time for the energy sector, when several key legislative packages at EU level are expected to be adopted and implemented in the member states, and Henrik Andersen points out that Europe faces major challenges: 

- We are at a crucial turning point for Europe's energy future. Wind energy can deliver the domestic, secure and affordable electricity we need - and at the same time strengthen Europe's competitiveness. The political will is there, but it is now that the ambitions must be translated into concrete action.

Three strategic areas of action

Henrik Andersen takes over the position as Chairman of WindEurope from José Luis Blanco, CEO of Nordex Group, who has been Chairman for the past 18 months.

As the new chairman of WindEurope, Henrik Andersen will have a special focus on three key areas of action, according to a press release from Vestas:

• Strengthening European competitiveness, where wind energy is seen as a crucial tool to ensure independence and price stability.
• Accelerating electrification, where the political framework must be improved so that initiatives such as the EU's Clean Industrial Deal can be realized in practice.
• Improving market conditions, including faster approval processes, economically viable projects and upgrading the electricity grid.

WindEurope is expected to play a central role in the coming months in shaping European energy policy, where wind energy is expected to be a cornerstone of the EU's climate goals and industrial strategy.

esl