REA appoints Sweco as the first chair of EV sector group

• Vijay Shinde, Grid Lead at engineering consultancy Sweco, appointed the first Chair of the REA’s Electric Vehicles sector group
• REA’s EV sector group represents companies involved in the deployment, financing, and manufacturing of EV-related infrastructure in the UK
• Around 50 members presently in the group 

The Renewable Energy Association is announcing the appointment of Vijay Shinde from engineering, environment and design consultancy Sweco UK as the Chair of the Association’s EV Sector Group.

Vijay is Grid Services Lead at Sweco UK and brings to the Association over 17 years’ experience in delivering specialist technical and regulatory advice on project delivery across the UK’s energy sector.

Based in the company’s Newcastle office, Vijay is a grid connection and high voltage design specialist, and works with investors and developers on energy storage, grid and electric vehicle charging infrastructure schemes.

Sector group Chairs are representatives of the REA’s membership in the Associations’ internal structure. Sector Chairs ensure that members’ views are properly represented.

Vijay will serve for no more than a 12 month term, before which time an election amongst the group’s membership will be called.

Prior to his time at Sweco, Vijay worked for EDF Energy as a high voltage design engineer before joining Senergy Econnect, where he delivered electrical design and due diligence for pan European energy projects.
In his free time, Vijay likes to keep fit and as a natural physique athlete, in 2018 for the first time competed in the Master Men’s Physique Competition.

The REA’s EV Sector Group has over 50 members, ranging from financers to project developers and equipment manufacturers. Group member companies include ABB, Alfen, Black & Veatch Ltd, Centrica, Flexisolar, Solisco, and the Greater London Authority.

Commenting on the appointment, Dr Nina Skorupska CBE, Chief Executive of the Renewable Energy Association said:

“The appointment of Vijay is an indication that the EV group is maturing. The group has been active in calling for reforms to support greater charge infrastructure deployment. This includes enhanced building regulations, permitted development rights for larger charging hubs, and market-led solutions for managing EV charging. 

“The group works closely with our other ‘clean tech’ sectors, including the Renewable Transport Fuels Group, Large-Scale Power and Markets, UK Solar, and UK Energy Storage.

“Taken as a whole, the Association is able to speak to the wider changes taking place in the energy sector, including the need for regulations to unlock a greater system ‘flexibility’ and the need for a clear, stable policy regime.

“We look forward to working closely with Vijay as we do all our Sector Chairs.”

Vijay Shinde, Grid Services Lead at Sweco said:

“With the rapid increase in EV adoption, the UK transport sector is going through historic change.

“I am passionate about delivering renewable energy infrastructure, and my focus will be on developing new implementation strategies together with pushing for reform on “smart” charging to ensure EVs are an attractive choice for the public.”

—ENDS—

Daniel Brown
External Affairs Officer & EV Lead
+44 (0)20 7981 0857
[email protected]

Notes to editors

• The REA additionally serves as secretariat to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Electric and Autonomous Vehicles.
• Details about the REA’s EV sector group can be found here, and it’s membership here.
• Details about the other REA sector groups, including the Renewable Transport Fuels Group, UK Energy Storage, UK Solar, and Large Scale Power and Markets, can be found here.

About the Renewable Energy Association (REA)

The Renewable Energy Association represents renewable energy producers and promotes the use of all forms of renewable energy in the UK across power, heat, transport and recycling. It is the largest renewable energy and clean technology (including energy storage and electric vehicles) trade association in the UK, with around 550 members, ranging from major multinationals to sole traders.

For more information, visit: www.r-e-a.net