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 an Executive Director, 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

Marcus Wiemann (German) – Executive Director

Marcus Wiemann, Executive Director of the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) is responsible for the management and direction of ARE as well as for the relationship management with institutional partners and governments. In this regard, he is a member of numerous steering committees and working groups with the purpose of building a sustainable decentralised renewable energy industry for the 21st century, activating markets for affordable energy services, and creating local jobs and inclusive economies. Marcus also managed the ARE-OFID CfP by which three clean energy mini-grids were implemented in Bangladesh, India and Mali.

Marcus (born in Dortmund, Germany in 1971) holds diplomas in Economics, International Relations/Developing Countries and Environmental Economics from the Universities of York and Trier. Marcus has a professional background from the finance and energy sector as well as in consultancy, advocacy and project management.

Before joining ARE in 2013, Marcus established and led representation offices in Brussels of Verbundnetz Gas AG, EWE AG and of the International Association of Gas and Oil Producers (OGP).

Languages: English, German

Contact

Phone: +32 2 709 55 44

E-mail : M.Wiemann@ruralelec.org

David Lecoque (Belgian) – Senior Policy & Business Development Manager (Africa)

David Lecoque heads the Policy & Business Development Department at ARE and coordinates 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 oversees 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) – Communications & Marketing Assistant

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 and Business Development Assistant  

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 and 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