WindEurope has appointed Tinne Van der Straeten as its new CEO with effect from 2 February 2026. She was most recently a member of the Belgian Parliament and was Minister of Energy in Belgium from 2020 to 2025. The interest group states this in a press release.
As Minister of Energy, she was responsible for the expansion of wind energy in Belgium and played a central role in the country's handling of the energy crisis in 2022. At the same time, she has held several leading roles in European energy cooperation, including as Chair of the North Sea Energy Cooperation and the EU Council of Energy Ministers.
WindEurope points out that Tinne Van der Straeten takes over the position at a time when Europe's energy security, industrial competitiveness and climate goals are under pressure. WindEurope's Chairman of the Board, Henrik Andersen, sees Van der Straeten's political experience as a significant asset to the organization.
- I am pleased to welcome Tinne Van der Straeten as the new CEO of WindEurope. She has helped to keep wind high on the political agenda in Belgium and at EU level and has collaborated across industry and authorities to shape energy policy and long-term investment frameworks, says Henrik Andersen, Chairman of the Board of WindEurope.
According to WindEurope, wind energy currently accounts for around 20 percent of Europe's total electricity consumption. With the right political framework, the organization estimates that this share could increase to 34 percent in 2030 and more than 50 percent by 2030. in 2050. At the same time, only 13 GW of new wind capacity was installed in the EU in 2025, which is less than half of the level needed to reach the 2030 targets.
- I am honoured to be appointed as CEO of WindEurope and grateful for the trust placed in me. It is a responsibility I take on with determination at a crucial time for Europe. Wind energy is central to Europe's energy independence, industrial competitiveness and climate goals. Wind is a native and scalable technology that delivers affordable power, strengthens energy independence and supports a competitive industrial base with jobs across Europe, says Tinne Van der Straeten, incoming CEO of WindEurope.
Tinne Van der Straeten succeeds Giles Dickson, who announced in July that he wanted to step down after ten years in the post once a successor had been found. The reason for the stop is that he decided to return home to the UK to become a school teacher instead.
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