Paul Kenny will become the new Director General of the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA), the voice of the European heat pump sector in Brussels, from September 2024.
Paul is a mechanical engineer with a Master’s degree in energy and is recognised as a leading energy policy expert in Ireland and the EU. Paul ran a local energy agency – an organisation promoting the transition to clean energy at a local level – for eight years. As part of this role he established an early and successful one stop shop, which brings together home energy upgrade services for consumers. He worked as an expert for the EU’s ManagEnergy programme, which supports local and regional governments as they work towards their energy savings targets.
More recently he has worked as the policy advisor to the Irish climate and energy Minister, having helped steer the transformation of the Irish energy system with a significant increase in building renovation, a large increase in heat pump and other renewable energy technology deployment. A recent publication shows Ireland has reduced its overall greenhouse gas emissions by 6.8% in 2023 vs 2022 to reach the lowest levels in 30 years, and this alongside a thriving economy. Ireland is projected to reach a 43% reduction in energy related greenhouse gas emissions from 2018 to 2030 according to the Irish Environmental Protection Agency new policies scenario.
Paul worked hard to demonstrate the opportunity of heat pumps in Ireland, through both starting up a retrofit company with heat pumps at the core, academic work to provide evidence to policy makers and supporting policy development both external and internal in the Irish government.
Paul Kenny, incoming Director General of the European Heat Pump Association commented:
“I am excited to join the mission of the European Heat Pump Association. Having spent much of my career working with heat pumps and wider heat decarbonisation I am convinced that heat pumps are key to a competitive, secure and net zero Europe. I look forward to getting started and leading the EHPA to the next phase of delivery.”
Patrick Crombez, President of the European Heat Pump Association said:
“The EHPA board is delighted with Paul Kenny’s appointment as director general. Paul brings a unique combination of expertise in energy and policy as well as business acumen, and is a long-time advocate for heat pumps. He will lead a growing Association with nearly 30 staff and more than 220 member companies and organisations, at a crucial time for the heat pump sector.”
EHPA connects the heat pump sector to policy-makers and politicians on the European and international levels via its advocacy, communications, projects, events and work on certification.
In 2023 sales of heat pumps fell slightly on 2022’s figures, according to EHPA’s data from 21 European countries, which will be released tomorrow. The European heat pump sector represents around €7 billion in investments, has about 250 manufacturing sites, and provides 170,000 direct jobs.
Paul Kenny replaces Thomas Nowak, who stepped down earlier in 2024.
Contact:
Sarah Azau
Head of Communications
sarah.azau@ehpa.org
Tel: +32 473 57 31 37
