ARE's Structure
ARE, as a non profit organization, is composed by a Board of Directors, a President and a Secretary General, all elected by the General Assembly of Members.
The Board of Directors defines and proposes the ARE general strategy as well as the annual plan of activities and budget to the General Assembly.
Composition of Board of Directors.
The President represents the Associations and interacts between the Board of Directors and the General Assembly, ensuring that the strategy and objectives of the association are duly accomplished.
The Secretariat conducts the day to day activities of the association, supports its governing bodies and members and contributes to the development of the association´s mission and objectives.
ARE Board's members
President: Ernesto Macías
"The Alliance is a vital global network of innovative and dedicated professionals. We promote and provide technological and financial solutions for rural electrification which really work. We in the Alliance share the vision that renewable energy must become a substantial pillar of the energy mix of all countries"
Board Member: Angelika Pullen, Communications Director, Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC)
"The Global Wind Energy Council is the voice of the global wind power sector vis-à-vis international organisations, governments and media. We are working at the highest international political level to demonstrate that wind energy is a key answer to today’s energy challenges. Our members represent over 1,500 companies and other organisations active in wind energy, and more than 99% of the world’s installed capacity.
Rural electrification through renewable energies is not only a moral obligation for the renewables industry, but also a much underestimated business opportunity. ARE promotes practical and clean energy solutions for developing countries, thereby opening new markets for wind energy, and this work is highly valued by our members."
Board Member: Balthasar Klimbie, Sales and project development Manager FortisWind Energy
"Fortis Wind Energy is a global player in the field of small wind turbines. All around the world we've installed solutions for electrification, water pumping and telecom solutions. While building up our experience, we wondered if there would be a more structural approach for these markets. And that is exactly where the alliance comes in. With our experience we can help ARE to assist others making a more mature market for de central electrification, so we can all benefit from the advantages of modern energy."
Board Member: Bernard McNelis, CEO, ITPower
"For almost 30 years, IT Power has been promoting and implementing rural electrification in developing countries using renewable energy technologies. I am delighted that ARE is now pulling together the industry, which has seen enormous growth in markets for grid-feeding wind and PV, to additionally develop businesses to serve the 1.6 billion people who do not have access to electricity or services such as water supply."
Board Member: Gema Sanbruno, Secretary General, ESHA
"The European Small Hydropower Association (ESHA) is a non- profit International Association representing the sector of small hydropower. Access to electricity is one of the keys to development, as it provides light, heat and power for productive uses and communication. Small hydropower (SHP) is a renewable energy source and suitable for off-grid rural electrification. ESHA is committed to work with ARE further promoting small hydropower as a valid means of rural electrification both in Europe and developing countries."
Board Member: Michael Wollny, Director Sales Off-Grid Solutions, SMA
“We at SMA see enormous potential for renewable energy in developing countries. Mini grids powered by hybrid systems are the ideal solution for the electrification of rural areas. They are efficient, reliable and climate friendly. However, the right technology is not enough. We need appropriate political and economic framework conditions to make renewable energy a success story. ARE informs policymakers about what is needed to make renewable energy projects successful in the long run. In doing so, ARE prepares the ground for the RE markets of the future. “
Board Member: Michel Mansard, Export Director, APEX BP Solar
“There is no power without energy. To make significant achievements, the first energy to mobilise is in every one of us. Regardless of the names and sizes of structures making up the Alliance, every member is a real professional and a world citizen with clear values. Sustainable Development, Environmental consciousness and Capacity building are a few of them.
As professionals, it is of great value to capitalize diverse experiences, share good practices, witness technological improvement, challenge concepts. This should inspire the technology stakeholders to continuously improve their products for the beneficiaries of Rural Electrification Programmes.
As World citizens, we are bringing our common values with every one of our actions. Together we make sure, wherever we act as an industry, that both stakeholders and beneficiaries of our work take advantage and receive some of our joint values to apply them in future.
The Alliance could be compared to a cooperative bank where members deposit their capital in experience for customers to freely access in order to build a sustainable future. We are trying to make our bank as rich as possible to support our future. “
Board Member: Tobias Zwirner, CEO, Phaesun
“ As one of the leading system integrators for Off-Grid Photovoltaic Systems, it is one of our most important concerns to develop solutions for the rural electrification with renewable energies. We regard ARE as an important political mouthpiece of the enterprises working in the field of rural electrification. We think that Solar Home Systems (SHS) should play a very important role in the field of rural electrification, in addition to Hybrid Systems and Mini Grids. This is the simplest and quickest way to provide people with electricity, improving their living standards at the same time.“
ARE Secretariat
Secretary General: Guido Glania (g.glania(at)ruralelec.org)
Policy and Development Manager: Simon Rolland (s.rolland(at)ruralelec.org)
Assistant to the secretariat: Carlos Guerrero (c.guerrero(at)ruralelec.org)
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