Green Industrial Grids Association Appoints François-Xavier Dussart as Secretary General to Advance Europe’s Electricity Grid Modernisation and Electrification Agenda

Green Industrial Grids Association Appoints François-Xavier Dussart as Secretary General to Advance Europe’s Electricity Grid Modernisation and Electrification Agenda

(IN BRIEF) The Green Industrial Grids Association has appointed François-Xavier Dussart as its first Secretary General, effective 14 September 2026, as the organisation enters its next stage of development following its launch in January. Dussart brings more than 20 years of European public affairs experience across the energy and technology sectors and will lead GIGA’s efforts to expand its membership, deepen policy engagement and advocate for electricity grids capable of supporting Europe’s growing electrification needs. GIGA represents electricity users and grid technology providers across sectors including electric mobility, digital infrastructure, energy-intensive industry and grid technology. The association is calling for faster and more transparent grid connections, stronger long-term network planning, smarter use of existing infrastructure and greater investment in grid expansion and digitalisation. Dussart said modern electricity networks will be critical to maintaining European competitiveness, strengthening energy security and meeting decarbonisation goals as industries increasingly electrify operations. Matt Ersin, Chair of GIGA, said the appointment reflects the association’s ambition to strengthen its role in European grid policy and build on momentum since its launch.

(PRESS RELEASE) BRUSSELS, 14-Sep-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — The Green Industrial Grids Association (GIGA) has appointed François-Xavier Dussart as its Secretary General, effective immediately, as the organisation moves into its next phase of development following its launch in January 2026.

Dussart brings more than 20 years of experience in European public affairs, with a professional background spanning the energy and technology sectors. GIGA said his cross-sector experience aligns closely with the association’s membership, which brings together electricity users and grid technology providers from a range of industries across Europe.

In his new role, Dussart will lead GIGA’s work to strengthen its membership, deepen engagement with European policymakers and regulators, and advocate for faster development, modernisation and digitalisation of electricity grids capable of supporting rising demand from industrial electrification.

His appointment comes at a time when sectors including metals, chemicals, food and beverages, transport and digital infrastructure are seeking to increase their use of electricity as part of wider decarbonisation strategies. GIGA argues that Europe will require stronger and more flexible electricity networks if this transition is to proceed while maintaining industrial competitiveness and energy security.

François-Xavier Dussart, Secretary General of GIGA, said Europe’s electricity system is entering a critical period as a growing number of industries pursue electrification.

He said modern and resilient grids will be necessary to support increased electricity demand while strengthening European competitiveness, energy security and progress toward decarbonisation objectives.

Dussart highlighted GIGA’s role in bringing together companies that are seeking to electrify their operations and increase their use of clean and secure electricity, while also contributing first-hand experience of the practical barriers encountered when connecting to and using Europe’s electricity networks.

He said he intends to work closely with GIGA members, policymakers, regulators, transmission and distribution system operators and the broader energy community to ensure that the perspective of industrial electricity users and technology providers is reflected in European grid policy.

His priorities will also include expanding the association and supporting policy approaches that enable electricity grid development to keep pace with Europe’s broader electrification ambitions.

Matt Ersin, Chair of GIGA, described the appointment as an important milestone in the association’s development and noted that Dussart is the organisation’s first Secretary General.

Ersin said Dussart’s knowledge of the European energy landscape, experience across the energy and technology sectors and more than two decades of involvement in EU policymaking will support GIGA as it builds on the momentum established since its launch.

He added that the association intends to strengthen its membership, increase its policy engagement and continue advocating for electricity networks capable of accommodating faster electrification across European industry.

GIGA was established to represent the interests and practical experience of both electricity users and grid technology providers operating across Europe. Its membership spans sectors including electric mobility, technology and digital infrastructure, energy-intensive industries and grid technology.

The association focuses on accelerating the expansion, modernisation and digitalisation of Europe’s electricity grids.

Its priorities include faster and more transparent grid connection processes, forward-looking network planning, better utilisation of existing infrastructure and sufficient investment to meet Europe’s growing electricity demand.

GIGA also seeks to bring operational experience from electricity consumers and technology providers into the European policy debate, helping policymakers understand the infrastructure challenges businesses face as they electrify operations and adopt cleaner energy technologies.

The association argues that grid capacity and connection availability are increasingly important considerations for industrial development, investment decisions and the deployment of technologies ranging from electric mobility to data infrastructure and energy-intensive manufacturing.

By strengthening cooperation among companies, policymakers, regulators and system operators, GIGA aims to contribute to a more modern, resilient and competitive European electricity system capable of supporting both industrial growth and climate objectives.

Dussart’s appointment therefore marks a further step in building the organisation’s leadership and policy capabilities as GIGA seeks to establish a stronger voice for industrial electricity users and grid technology providers within Europe’s rapidly evolving energy landscape.

Media contact:
info@gigagrids.eu

SOURCE: Green Industrial Grids Association