about rgi

our vision

The European power system is evolving to address energy and climate challenges by increasing the share of renewable energy. In the coming years, renewable energy will be the main component of the European power mix. However, this transformation is only possible with the right infrastructure and planning.

At RGI, we support this transition by focusing on grid development as a critical factor in integrating renewables, from decentralised to large-scale installations. Our approach involves building strong coalitions across sectors to drive the necessary changes in the power industry.

We promote fair, transparent, sustainable grid development to enable the growth of renewables to achieve full decarbonisation in line with the Paris Agreement within three dimensions.

Finding common ground

RGI is a unique platform, fostering dialogue between transmission system operators (TSOs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Since 2009, we’ve united to create the infrastructure necessary for integrating renewable energy while securing public and policy support.

Through this collaboration, TSOs and NGOs have found common ground to promote timely, environmentally sound grid development with stronger stakeholder and public engagement.

rgi objectives

Enabling Decarbonisation Through Grid Development

RGI is a unique platform, fostering dialogue between transmission system operators (TSOs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Innovative Approaches for Sustainable Grid Solutions

Since 2009, we’ve united to create the infrastructure necessary for integrating renewable energy while securing public and policy support.

Facilitating Collaboration for Effective Energy Transition

Through this collaboration, TSOs and NGOs have found common ground to promote timely, environmentally sound grid development with stronger stakeholder and public engagement.

Find out more about RGI’s strategy and organisational enablers in our Strategy Document

RGI-Strategy-Document.pdf

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RGI is a non-profit organisation, registered under German law. The organs of the association are the Members’ Assembly and the Board.

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The Board is the highest decision making organ of the association between the Members’ Assemblies. The Board consists of at least six voting members including two chairmen and one treasurer.

The number of the Board members is decided by the Members’ Assembly and shall consist of an equal number of TSO and NGO representatives.

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The CEO implements all decisions taken by the Members’ Assembly. The CEO is appointed by and reports to the Board.

The current CEO is Antonella Battaglini.

Antonella Battaglini

Antonella Battaglini

Antonella Battaglini is the CEO of the Renewables Grid Initiative-RGI, which she founded in 2009. RGI is a unique collaboration of NGOs and TSOs from across Europe, promoting transparent, environmentally sensitive grid development to enable steady growth of renewable energy and the energy transition. In addition, Antonella has been an expert member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Clean Electrification and of the European Commission Interconnection Target Group. For many years, Antonella has also held the position of senior scientist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK).

The Secretariat manages and coordinates all RGI activities and also develops and implements strategies and action plans, administers approved budgets, publicly represents the RGI, networks and conducts background briefings.

The Secretariat reports to the Board.

meet Secretariat

The Members’ Assembly is the highest decision-making organ of the association

Participants

RGI Secretariat and all Members

tasks

The MA decides on all topics that influence the general set-up, governance structure and strategy of RGI

voting rights

TSOs and NGOs have one vote each; voting is public and allows for discussions

meetings

Once per year (more if necessary)

Jasón Besga

Redeia

Jasón Besga

Jasón is the Director of Institutional Relations and Public Affairs at Redeia, the parent company of the Spanish electricity TSO Red Eléctrica. He worked in the Economic Office of the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade in Brussels, in the Regulatory Team of Iberdrola and was an Associate Director at Kreab Worldwide. In 2016 he joined Redeia as Head of the Brussels Office and from 2017 he held the position of Head of the International & Institutional Affairs Department. Jasón joined the Board of RGI in 2018 and in 2021 was elected Co-Chair. Jasón holds a degree in Business Administration and Management from the Universidad de Navarra and has completed several postgraduate degrees, highlighting the Management Development Programme at IESE and the one in Sustainability, Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility at the London Business School. He is also a member of the XLIX Promotion of the National Defence Course of the CESEDEN. Jasón joined the Board of RGI in 2018 and in 2021 was elected Co-Chair.

Ariel Brunner

BirdLife Europe & Central Asia

Ariel Brunner

Based in Brussels, Ariel Brunner is the Regional Director of the environmental NGO BirdLife Europe & Central Asia. He coordinates work on a wide range of policies ranging from nature and biodiversity conservation, to budget, energy, fisheries and agriculture. Over the last decade he has been very active in debates over the sustainability of renewable energy and in particular of bioenergy where he has been one of the pioneers in criticising EU support to biofuels. He has been involved in numerous studies, policy developments and political processes linked to the EU Renewable Energy Directives, the sustainability criteria for biofuels, the Indirect Land Use Change controversy etc. Before moving to Brussels he was following the implementation of EU nature conservation legislation in Italy and has been instrumental to the designation of the country’s Special Protection Areas network (sites protected under the EU Wild Birds Directive). He has been involved in species conservation projects, legal battles for the conservation of protected sites and in efforts to improve implementations of hunting legislation. Born in Israel, he holds an M.Sc. in Environmental Sciences at Milan University.

Bernard De Clercq

Elia Group

Bernard De Clercq

Born in Ghent on March 11th 1984, speaking fluently Dutch, English, French and German, Bernard De Clercq is an expert in European electricity policy. He holds a degree in applied economical sciences and a master in international relations and diplomacy and has fulfilled temporary assignments for the European Commission and the Belgian federal ministry of foreign affairs, in the period of the Belgian European presidency in 2010. At Elia Group, Bernard has worked in the department Public and Regulatory affairs of Elia Belgium, and has since January 1st 2021 taken the responsibility of the Group European Affairs department.

Francisco Ferreira

ZERO

Francisco Ferreira

Francisco Ferreira is an Associate Professor with the Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering of the NOVA School of Science and Technology (FCT NOVA) and a researcher in CENSE – Center for Environmental and Sustainability Research. He holds a degree in Environmental Engineering from FCT NOVA, a master’s degree from Virginia Tech, USA and a PhD from NOVA Lisboa. He has been developing work in the areas of air pollution, climate change, and sustainable development. He was President of Quercus, a national environmental non-governmental organisation (NGO) from 1996 to 2001 and Vice-President between 2007 and 2011. He was a member of the National Water Council and of the National Council for Environment and Sustainable Development. He has been President of ZERO – Association for the Sustainability of the Earth System, a national environmental NGO, since 2016.

Seda Orhan

CAN Europe

Seda Orhan

Seda Orhan is a passionate advocate for a fast and fair transition towards a 100% Renewable Europe, managing the Renewable Energy Programme at Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe, the leading NGO coalition fighting dangerous climate change. CAN Europe, uniting over 200 member organisations in 40 countries, represents more than 1,700 NGOs and 40 million citizens to promote sustainable climate, energy, and development policies. With over a decade of experience and a rich background in environmental advocacy, Seda has made significant contributions to strategic partnerships, policy development, and campaign mobilisations through her work with European NGOs in Brussels.

Francisco Parada

REN

Francisco Parada

Born in Porto, in 1975, Francisco Parada is passionate about the changes we are experiencing towards a just and sustainable energy transition. Francisco has 25 years of professional experience in environmental matters, including strategic environmental assessment of investment plans, assessment and post-assessment of investment projects, legal compliance verification, management systems, audits and ESG indicator reporting. He also has professional experience in risk assessment, business continuity, emergency planning and crisis management. Since January 2022, he has been responsible for the Quality, Environment, Safety, and Performance department at REN (Portuguese TSO), an area with transversal competencies and responsibilities on all REN group companies in Portugal. Francisco holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering (1998) and a Master’s in Environmental Engineering (2004) from the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto. He also holds an Executive MBA (2008) from Porto Business School and completed the Advanced Management Program (2018) at Católica Business School/Kellogg School of Business in Lisbon and Chicago.
The chart below is a visual representation of the audited funding sources for the year 2022. Hover over the chart to view more information.

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Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the LIFE Programme. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them

Timeline

Yearly renewal until 2026

Projects funded

Multiple projects

Timeline

2022-2024

Projects funded

JustWind4All

Timeline

Timeline

Yearly renewal

Projects funded

Multiple projects

Timeline

2022-2026

Projects funded

Multiple projects

Yearly membership fees and other miscellaneous sources

Timeline

Yearly

Timeline

2022-2023

Projects funded

WHY

Timeline

2019-2023

Projects funded

Multiple projects

Timeline

2022-2024

Projects funded

Multiple projects

Timeline

2021-2024

Projects funded

Multiple projects

step-by-step guide

Step 1. Submit Your Application
  • Write a letter of motivation addressed to our CEO, Antonella Battaglini.
  • In the letter, confirm your acceptance of RGI’s rules of procedures and describe how your organisation can actively contribute to the RGI Mission Statement and Strategic Objectives outlined in the Strategic Plan.
Step 2. Sign the Required Documents
Step 3. Application Review
  • Once submitted, our CEO will notify all voting members.
  • Voting members will then accept or decline your membership.

related resources

The-Power-of-Collaboration-A-short-introduction-to-the-work-of-RGI.pdf

18.438 KB

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RGI-factsheet-RGIs-work-in-a-nutshell.pdf

18.438 KB

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RGI-Strategy-Document.pdf

18.438 KB

Download

Series of brochures – Connected = Empowered

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