The Renewable Energy Association (REA) has named Vijay Shinde as chair of its electric vehicle (EV) sector group.
Shinde is grid services lead at engineering consultancy Swece, and has more than 17 years of experience delivering specialist technical and regulatory advice on projects across the UK energy sector.
Sector group chairs represent the REA’s membership in the association’s internal structure, ensuring their views are properly represented.
Shinde will serve for no more than 12 months, before which time an election will be called among the group’s membership.
The REA’s EV sector group has more than 50 members, ranging from financers to project developers and equipment manufacturers.
Group member companies include ABB, Alfen, Black & Veatch Ltd, Centrica, Flexisolar, Solisco and the Greater London Authority.
Shinde said: “With the rapid increase in EV adoption, the UK transport sector is going through historic change.
“I am passionate about delivering renewable energy infrastructure and my focus will be on developing new implementation strategies, together with pushing for reform on “smart” charging to ensure EVs are an attractive choice for the public.”
REA chief executive Dr Nina Skorupska CBE said: “The appointment of Vijay is an indication that the EV group is maturing. The group has been active in calling for reforms to support greater charge infrastructure deployment.
“This includes enhanced building regulations, permitted development rights for larger charging hubs and market-led solutions for managing EV charging.
“The group works closely with our other ‘clean tech’ sectors, including the renewable transport fuels group, large-scale power and markets, UK solar and UK energy storage.
“Taken as a whole, the association is able to speak to the wider changes taking place in the energy sector, including the need for regulations to unlock a greater system ‘flexibility’ and the need for a clear, stable policy regime.
“We look forward to working closely with Vijay as we do with all our sector chairs.”
