News & events

The World Bioenergy Association (WBA) is pleased to announce that Remigijus Lapinskas has been elected as the new President of WBA. He was elected during the annual meetings in Istanbul in Turkey on May 28 and takes over from Dr. Heinz Kopetz with effect from June 20, 2016. Dr. Heinz Kopetz will continue assisting WBA in the new role of ‘Senior Consultant’. 

“It’s an honour to be elected as the President of World Bioenergy Association. It is a great responsibility and I would like to thank the WBA members for such a privilege. I would like to specially thank Dr. Heinz Kopetz for having led successfully the organization in the past four years”, says Remigijus Lapinskas.

Dr. Heinz Kopetz says: “I would like to thank all the members, staff, supporters and partners who have supported WBA with good cooperation in the past four years. I wish the new President and the Board a successful future". 
WBA would like to thank Dr. Heinz Kopetz for an excellent work he has done with the development of the organization. Taking over 4 years ago, Dr. Heinz Kopetz has led the organization excellently with his insights into bioenergy and renewables policy, financing and technological solutions.

As for the future of WBA, the new President has fresh ideas for further development of the organization. “My focus for development of WBA will be on three main things: (1) WBA will continue to remain and develop as a leading global biomass energy organization, (2) WBA will influence market expansion and business services in promising markets, for e.g. China, Central and Eastern Region of Europe, African countries, and Latin America etc. and (3) WBA will work on establishing regional branches of WBA worldwide in order to have better contact and dialogue with members, business community and decision makers” says Remigijus Lapinskas. He further says that fossil fuel exit strategy and a global carbon tax should be the main drivers for the development of the future energy society. 

“WBA is looking forward to having Remigijus Lapinskas lead the organization” – says Karin Haara, Executive Director.

Download the press release (Doc, Pdf)

For more information, please contact: 
Remigijus Lapinskas, President WBA, +370 6982 2906, remigijus.lapinskas@worldbioenergy.org 
Karin Haara, Executive Director WBA, +46 70 5432641, karin.haara@worldbioenergy.org
Bharadwaj V Kummamuru, Project Officer WBA, +46 76 7159785 bharadwaj.v.kummamuru@worldbioenergy.org