The OLEC innovation network has been proactively shaping the regional energy transition for 20 years and researching the future topics of the industry with its members. At its first general meeting in its anniversary year, the members have now set the course for the year in terms of content and elected a new board.

"For 20 years, I have been convinced that we can only tackle the urgent issues of our time, such as climate change, the transition to renewable energies, sustainable energy research and regional development, by working together with all stakeholders. OLEC shows that this is possible and is a reliable partner for the region, the energy state of Lower Saxony and our cross-border partner organisations," says the new former Chairman of the Board Roland Hentschel. Other members of the OLEC Board of Directors for the years 2024-2026: Thorsten Janßen (BFE) as Deputy Chairman and Sonja Hannöver (BDO Oldenburg) as Treasurer aswell as Dr. Stephan Barth (ForWind), Peter Forch (Lintas Green Energy), Dr. Benedikt Hanke (DLR VE), Dr. Till Luhmann (BTC AG), Burkhard Meiners (AgroEnergien), Dr. Jürgen Meister (OFFIS), Prof. Ulrich Scheele (ARSU), Klaus Stolzenburg (Planet) and Thorsten Wieting (EWE NETZ).

OLEC always has its finger on the pulse of the times and has an eye on future developments, be it the emergence of the hydrogen economy, the heat transition or sustainable mobility. The focus is on the more than 60 OLEC members, who can become active together in projects, innovation spaces and through intensive networking via OLEC. "This also demonstrates a high level of consistency, as many of our members have been on board since the organisation was founded and have developed together with OLEC over the last 20 years," emphasises Hentschel. At the beginning of the year, OLEC gained new members through the Wattmanufactur in the field of PV. Wirtschaftsförderung Wesermarsch also joined the network at the end of 2023. In the coming years, the network's work will focus primarily on the issue of broad acceptance of renewable energies and the transformation of energy, heating and transport.

In its anniversary year, OLEC is once again planning numerous event and participation formats for stakeholders from the energy industry and science, politics, planning and administration as well as the civilian population. OLEC Energy Week from 10 to 15 June will bring together various topics and formats under the motto "Technology and Acceptance for Renewables in the Northwest".

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