The ARE Secretariat

The Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) is a private sector driven non-profit organisation, composed by a Board of Directors, a President and a CEO all elected by the General Assembly of Members. The day-to-day running of ARE is managed by the Secretariat, based in Brussels, Belgium.

ARE Secretariat

Rue d'Arlon 69-71
1040 Brussels
Belgium

Central line: +32 2 709 55 42

David Lecoque (Belgian) – CEO

David Lecoque is currently CEO. Previously, he led the Policy & Business Development Department at ARE and coordinated ARE activities globally, with a specific focus on Africa. He works closely on policy and business issues with energy companies, key donors and institutions, financiers and NGOs involved in energy access. In particular, he focuses on consultancy, advocacy, partnerships, project management, B2B/B2Fin matchmaking and events. He also oversaw ARE's research activities and run the contact database, comprising 33,000+ sector stakeholders.

David (born in Antwerpen, Belgium in 1987) holds an LL.M in European Law from the College of Europe and a Master of Laws from the Free University of Brussels, and recently completed the IBI International Trade Executive Programme.

Prior to joining ARE, David practised and qualified as a lawyer at the Brussels Bar, dealing principally with energy and environmental matters in top-tier law firms Liedekerke and CMS. In 2015, he was elected as one of Belgium’s 100 most inspiring and sustainable young professionals. 

Languages: English, French, Dutch and German

Contact

Phone : +32 2 709 55 25

E-mail : d.lecoque@ruralelec.org

Jens Jæger (Danish) – Policy & Business Development Manager (Asia)

Jens Jæger leads on the ARE activities in Asia and works closely together with ARE Members, as well as international and local partners to improve policy and business development conditions for private sector companies in off-grid markets. He focuses on advocacy, policy, research, partnerships, B2B/B2F matchmaking and events. As part of his work at ARE, Jens also led the project to develop the current ARE website, as well as initiatives to increase youth engagement in the off-grid sector such as the AEEP Young Leaders in Energy Access Awards and the ARE job platform.

Jens (born in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1989) holds a Master’s Degree in Political Science from University of Copenhagen with a Master’s Thesis focusing on wind energy in China.

Prior to joining ARE, Jens worked in communications at the United Nations Regional Information Centre in Brussels (UNRIC), as well as in the Danish Parliament as a Political Assistant.

Languages: English, French, Danish

Contact

Phone : +32 2 709 55 42

E-mail : j.jaeger@ruralelec.org

Ling Ng (English) – Communications & Marketing Manager 

Ling Ng leads the Communications & Markerting Department at ARE which was established to find best ways to promote of the business interests of ARE Members and to provide support to key cooperation Partners through communications and marketing as well as event management and matchmaking. She is the contact point for the website, publications and digital outreach. She specialises in showcasing RET technologies and sustainable business models that supply electricity to isolated regions in developing countries.

Ling (born in London, United Kingdom in 1984) holds a Master’s Degree in Quaternary Science and a Bachelor in Environmental Science from Royal Holloway, University College London and Queen Mary, University of London.

Prior to joining ARE, Ling worked as a sustainable project assistant for start-ups and non-profit organisations such as ICLEI in the UK, Germany and France. 

Languages: English, French

Contact

Phone: +32 2 709 55 42

E-mail: l.ng@ruralelec.org

Amanda Soler Guzman (Spanish) – Project & Communications Officer

Amanda supports the Communications & Marketing Manager in the implementation of the organisation’s communications strategy. She is responsible for managing social media and assisting ARE’s internal and external communications, including website and newsletter content, as well as the organisation of relevant events.

Amanda (born in Valencia, Spain 1991) holds a Master’s Degree in Climate Change & Environmental Policy from the University of Leeds and a Bachelor in Business Management from the University of Valencia. In 2016, she was selected to conduct part of her Master’s thesis in Chile. Funded by the British Council, her research explained the influence of place in the development of sustainable entrepreneurial identities within small rural communities. This was conducted alongside a volunteering experience as sustainable entrepreneurship facilitator with small entrepreneurs in La Araucania, Chile. 

Prior to joining ARE, Amanda worked as Membership & Stakeholder Relations Intern and Project Officer for social and environmental non-profit organisations such as CSR Europe and ShareAction in Brussels and London.

Languages: English, Spanish, Catalan

Contact

Phone: +32 2 709 55 25

E-mail: a.soler@ruralelec.org

Deepak Mohapatra (Indian) – Policy & Business Development Officer

Deepak assists the Policy and Business Development Department at ARE. He is responsible for supporting in the project planning and formulation along with conducting research on renewable energy and rural electrification topics. He also focuses on interaction and engagement with ARE stakeholders in the context of different events and campaigns as well as supporting in new Member acquisition both locally and internationally.  

Deepak (born in Paradeep, India in 1993) holds a Master of Science (M.Sc.) Degree in Renewable Energy Management from the TH Köln - University of Applied Sciences, Cologne, Germany and a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) Degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Biju Pattnaik University of Technology, Rourkela, India.

Prior to joining ARE, Deepak worked as a part-time project coordinator at a Germany-based non-profit organisation called Lernen-Helfen-Leben e.V.

Languages: English, German, Hindi, Odia, Urdu

Contact

Phone: +32 2 709 55 42

E-mail: d.mohapatra@ruralelec.org 

Judith Abila (Kenyan) – Policy & Business Development Intern

Judith supports the Policy and Business Development department on project implementation, event support and research.

Judith (born in Kisumu, Kenya 1997) holds a Bachelor’s in Engineering (BEng) Degree in Civil Engineering from Newcastle University, UK.

Prior to joining ARE, Judith worked as a marketing assistant and student support assistant at INTO Newcastle University.

Languages: English, Swahili, Luo

Contact

E-mail: j.abila@ruralelec.org

Ida Leung (Hong Kongese) – Communications & Marketing Intern

Ida supports the Communications & Marketing Department on content & graphic production, engaging members and digital event support.

Ida (born in Hong Kong 1996) holds a Bachelor in Government & Political Administration from The Chinese University of Hong Kong with her final-year project in spatial politics. Deepening her interest in geography of development, she is currently pursuing a Masters of Geography in Catholic University of Leuven and Free University of Brussels.

Prior to joining ARE, Ida worked as Content & Research Intern in social enterprises in Hong Kong, Student Project Manager in Cultural Geography Projects in CUHK, Strategy Intern and Account Services Intern in advertising firms like DDB and Tribal in Shanghai.

Languages: English, Cantonese, Mandarin

Contact

Phone: +32 2 709 55 42

E-mail: i.leung@ruralelec.org