Former EU Energy Commissioner Piebalgs Joins Covington's Global Public Policy Team

Former EU Energy Commissioner Piebalgs Joins Covington's Global Public Policy Team

January 16, 2023

BRUSSELS - Andris Piebalgs has joined Covington’s Global Public Policy Practice in Brussels as Senior Advisor.

Andris served as European Commissioner for Energy between 2004 and 2009 where he was instrumental in designing and implementing the “Third Energy Package,” which remains a cornerstone of the EU’s energy policy and market regulation. Andris was subsequently European Commissioner for Development, from 2010 and 2014. As a member of the UN’s High Level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda, Andris played a key role in formulating the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. These remain the blueprint for international development, promote affordable and clean energy worldwide, and underpin the discipline of Business and Human Rights.

Before joining the Commission, Andris held a number of roles in the Latvian Government, including as Minister of Finance, Deputy Secretary of State for EU affairs, and Minister of Education. He subsequently served as a diplomat in the Latvian Foreign Service where, as Ambassador to the EU, he was instrumental in helping Latvia gain accession to the European Union. 

Since leaving the Commission, Andris has continued to be deeply involved in energy regulation in Europe, serving as the Chairman of the Implementation Committee of the International Methane Emissions Observatory, and Chairman of the Board of Appeal of the Agency of the Cooperation of Energy Regulators. Since 2016, Andris has held a Professorship at the Florence School of Regulation of the European University Institute, and was Adviser to the President of Latvia on his country’s Presidency of the Council of the EU. He has published numerous articles on the politics of energy, the energy transition, sustainability and development.

“We are delighted to welcome Andris to the firm,” said Sebastian Vos, Chair of Covington’s Global Public Policy Practice. “Energy policy has become a fundamental political, strategic and practical consideration for many companies, regardless of their business model. The challenges of the past year have underlined the importance of a rapid and just energy transition, and the EU has placed sustainable development at the core of its new rules on business and human rights. Andris’ deep experience across these important areas further enhances Covington’s ability to offer clients targeted, expert advice on some of the most significant challenges and opportunities they face.”

“Energy security, sustainability, and development are core to the business and regulatory agenda in 2023. I am excited to continue working on these important issues and to contribute to the ongoing dialogue between the private and public sectors in Europe and beyond,” said Andris.

Andris holds a degree in Physics from the University of Latvia.