Ocean Energy Europe (OEE) has appointed Thierry Kalanquin, DCNS Senior Vice President of Energies and Marine infrastructure, and Simon De Pietro, DP Energy’s CEO, as its new Co-Presidents.
The pair will combine the expertise of an industrial scale technology manufacturer DCNS and a prominent renewable energy developer DP Energy to help steer Europe’s ocean renewable energy industry sector to commercial readiness, OEE informed.
De Pietro and Kalanquin are replacing Rob Stevenson who was appointed the President of OEE Board in February 2015.
Simon De Pietro said: “Ocean Energy Europe has a crucial position to ensure that European policy and decision makers are fully aware of the potential of ocean energy and are putting the appropriate measures in place to support the industry. I am proud to be elected as co-president of the organisation together with Thierry Kalanquin from DCNS. We bring two different perspectives together, into one common vision, which is the development of the ocean energy sector.”
Commenting on the appointment, Thierry Kalanquin , said: “The combination of our complementary expertise in energy project management and technological and industrial development will represent a serious asset for the emergence of marine renewable energies in Europe. It is also a strong symbol at a time when the marine renewable energy sector needs more than ever the cooperation of all its actors to support the development of a new market, with economic and social benefits for Europe.”
Ocean Energy Europe is a Brussels-based industry group representing the renewable ocean energy sector in Europe which acts as the main link between Europe’s ocean energy industry and the EU institutions, and EU Member States.
Rémi Gruet , CEO of Ocean Energy Europe, welcomed the Board’s decision, saying: “DCNS and DP Energy are pivotal players in Europe’s ocean energy industry, and together cover all the angles. Their operational focus is on the sector’s most advanced markets – France and the UK. As technology manufacturer and renewable energy project developer, they bring key, but different, perspectives to the table and a wealth of knowledge and experience. I look forward to working with them both.”