I am thrilled to have taken up the role of EHPA’s Director General.
After many years working in energy policy and the transition to clean heating in Ireland – most recently as adviser to the Irish climate and energy minister – I am delighted to bring my passion for heat pumps and conviction that they must be at the heart of our energy future to the EU stage.
EHPA is at the core of European heat decarbonisation. This is thanks to its 220-plus members – who represent a significant portion of the stakeholders in the transition – and to the high-performing and well respected secretariat in Brussels, which I am proud to say I now lead.
The next steps for EHPA are clear: we need first to obtain greater policy stability and the publication of a strong, supportive EU Heat Pump Action Plan. Then it will be all about implementation and delivery of that Action Plan, to get us to a fully decarbonised heating and cooling sector. EHPA will be critical to helping Europe in this implementation phase – to learn from leading regions, understanding the policy solutions that work and support the development and delivery of the European heat pump action plan, as well as addressing non-market barriers like public perception and planning permission.
Europe’s security and economic future cannot be about the long-term importing of fossil resources from regions that bleed the European economy of money and talent to enrich the few. The only way Europe reaches security, energy independence and net zero is through the widespread implementation of renewable electricity and heat pumps (directly, indirectly or through district heating).
I believe that EHPA can become the most influential association in the decarbonisation of heating and cooling and achieve the trajectory of sales of heat pumps required for net zero. The EHPA has delivered for society and the industry to date, putting the heat pump at the heart of European heating decarbonisation. My vision is that EHPA provides the practical support to the European institutions and country member associations and governments to deliver on this mandate.
In the next few weeks, the Heat Pump Forum on 25-26 September will be a key opportunity to meet and exchange on the path to net zero heating and cooling. The first ever Heat Pump Day on 21 October is a chance to communicate and educate far and wide on heat pumps. I encourage anyone interested to have a look at both websites for more.
