Green Party supremo and former Belgian energy minister Tinne Van der Straeten (Groen) is to become the new CEO of WindEurope, the European wind energy industry association. The organisation made the announcement on Monday. Van der Straeten starts at WindEurope on 2 February. She has confirmed that she is resigning from parliament, where she served as a federal lawmaker in the chamber of representatives. Normally she will be succeeded by Francophone green politician Claire Hugon (Ecolo).
Climate & Environment
Former Belgian energy minister Tinne Van der Straeten (green) becomes WindEurope CEO
Colin Clapson
Published:
At WindEurope, Van der Straeten will succeed Giles Dickson, who has headed the organisation for a decade. WindEurope is the voice of the wind energy sector in Europe. More than 600 organisations and companies – including major players such as Engie and Vestas, but also well-known Belgian companies such as DEME and Jan De Nul – are members of WindEurope, which describes itself as the world's ‘largest and most influential wind energy network’.
Wind energy is very familiar territory for Van der Straeten. The Green politician was energy minister in the Belgian government headed by Alexander De Croo (Flemish liberal) between 2020 and 2025 and is considered a passionate advocate of wind energy.
Her role as head of WindEurope means that she is leaving the federal parliament, where she was elected on a joint list with Francophone green party Ecolo in the Brussels constituency.