Hydrogen Europe, the European hydrogen association, has announced the appointment of Dr Sopna Sury as its new chair. Effective from 26th April 2023, Dr Sury has been elected to lead the association for the next two years until June 2025. She succeeds Jon André Løkke, the outgoing board member and former CEO of Nel Hydrogen.
Dr Sury currently serves as the chief operating officer of Hydrogen at RWE Generation SE, a German multinational energy company that generates electricity from renewable energy sources. Her appointment comes at a pivotal time for the European hydrogen industry, as the continent seeks to ramp up the production and usage of hydrogen to achieve its carbon-neutral goals.
In her comments on the designation, Dr Sury expressed her honour at representing the hydrogen industry in Europe during this pivotal phase. She highlighted the need for joint responsibility among society, politics, and industry to produce, transport, and use hydrogen in sufficient quantities. According to her, the hydrogen industry is highly motivated to do its part in achieving the success of the energy transition.
Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO of Hydrogen Europe, expressed his delight in welcoming Dr Sury as the new chair of the board of the association. He stated that she would preside over a period of intense activity in the European hydrogen sector, as the industry moves from preparation to action. He also thanked Jon André Løkke for his excellent work over the last two years, as he helped to shape the European hydrogen policy landscape.
Dr Sopna Sury holds a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Florida, USA, and has extensive experience in the energy sector. She has worked in the field of hydrogen energy for over a decade, having previously held several leadership positions in companies such as Siemens Energy and McPhy Energy. She is also a member of the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU), a public-private partnership that promotes the research, development, and deployment of fuel cells and hydrogen technologies in Europe.
Dr Sopna Sury’s appointment as the new chair of Hydrogen Europe is expected to further strengthen the industry’s efforts to develop and commercialize hydrogen technologies. With her extensive experience and expertise in the field, she is well-positioned to lead the association towards achieving its goals of promoting the use of hydrogen in Europe.
Overall, the appointment of Dr Sopna Sury as the new chair of Hydrogen Europe is a positive development for the European hydrogen industry. It reflects the growing importance of hydrogen as a clean energy source and the industry’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality in Europe.
