The European Biomass Association (AEBIOM) has officially announced the election of Didzis Palejs from the Latvian Biomass Association (LATbio) as its new President. Palejs is to dedicate his term to uniting the biomass industry at international level, reinforce advocacy capacity and support national associations in the development of national biomass markets.
During its annual conference held in Brussels, Belgium this week, the European Biomass Association (AEBIOM) also officially announced the election of a new President and new Board members. Didzis Palejs from the Latvian Biomass Association (LATbio) was elected as the new President of AEBIOM. He succeeds Gustav Melin (Svebio, Sweden) who has led the organisation for the past six years.
According to a statement, Didzis Palejs was the “natural choice” as he has been increasingly involved in AEBIOM and its network for over the past decade. Palejs has a professional background in the energy and wood industry with almost two decades of experience at local and international levels in both sales and logistics. He has developed a broad understanding of the technical, economic and political challenges ahead. Based on his solid experience, he served as both the Chairman of the LATbio as well as the Vice-President of the European Pellet Council (EPC) – an AEBIOM network.
Raising the benefits of bioenergy at EU level through strengthening the cohesion of the sector will be one of the top priorities for President Palejs during his term.
– I will dedicate my term to three priorities: uniting the biomass industry at international level, reinforcing our advocacy capacity and supporting national associations in the development of national biomass markets, said Palejs in his inaugural address during the conference.
His strong commitment will be key during a critical moment for the entire bioenergy sector at EU level. The European Commission (EC) is due to publish a legislative “Winter package” at the end of this month, that will set the scene for renewables and especially bioenergy for the coming decade.
– It cannot be stressed enough; bioenergy is essential for the EU-28 to reach its climate and energy goals. The coming winter package should make it right to allow our sector to play its role. Based on what we’ve heard about this package at AEBIOM’s conference, I’m afraid we are not yet fully understood at EU level, stated Palejs.
In addition, AEBIOM elected Thomas Siegmund (BBE, Germany), DE) as its new Vice-President and renewed part of its board by appointing Michael Doran (Irbea, Ireland), Christoph Pfemeter (ABA, Austria), Marijan Kavran (CROBIOM, Hungary), Vilma Gaubyte (Litbioma, Lithuania) Eric Vial (Propellet France, France) and Gustav Melin (Svebio, Sweden).
