Ocean Energy Europe names policy chief

Donagh Cagney (Photo: Rémi Collombet-Gourdon)

 
The industry body for Europe’s ocean renewable energy, Ocean Energy Europe, has appointed Donagh Cagney as its new Policy Director.

Cagney will focus on promoting the right policy and finance framework to take ocean energy to industrial readiness, the Brussels-based organization said.

Cagney said: “Following in the path of wind and solar, Europe’s ocean energy sector has made real progress in recent years, and the stage is set for a transition to industrial readiness. To get over this line, visibility on volumes and revenue support is going to be crucial.

“As Policy Director at Ocean Energy Europe, I look forward to working with our members and decision makers to help create a domestic market for ocean energy with significant export opportunities around the world.”

Cagney joins Ocean Energy Europe following a stint at UK energy regulator OFGEM, where he led work on the EU’s Clean Energy Package.

Before that he was responsible for economic policy at the European airport industry body, and prior to this at the Dublin Airport Authority. He holds an MSc in Economics from Trinity College Dublin.

Rémi Gruet, Ocean Energy Europe’s CEO, said: “Donagh is a great addition to the OEE team. His policy experience, sectoral understanding and level-headed enthusiasm will be vital assets to promote our new industry at a crucial time. I also want to thank Jacopo Moccia for his extraordinary contribution to the sector and wish him the best in his new culinary endeavors.”

Representing over 120 organisations, including Europe’s leading utilities, industrialists and research institutes, Ocean Energy Europe acts as the main link between Europe’s ocean energy industry and the EU institutions, and EU Member States.