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Email: bernd.weber@epico.org
Dr. Bernd Weber has been EPICO's Executive Director since its foundation in 2021.
As a renowned think tanker, Bernd is a frequently requested expert in parliamentary hearings and meetings and a regular commentator on energy, climate and industrial policy issues in German and European media, such as Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Handelsblatt, ARD, Bloomberg, and Euronews.
Bernd advises the Electricity Market Platform of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, and he is the chairman of the biannual Energy and Environment summits at the International Council of Energy and Environment.
Before founding EPICO, Bernd was the Director for Industry, Energy and Environment at the Wirtschaftsrat (Economic Council), where he managed the work of the Federal Expert Commissions on Energy Policy and Industrial Policy, among other tasks. He founded and led the European Energy Lab 2030, an innovation-oriented energy policy think tank bringing together 60 experts from politics, business, and science. Bernd gained work experience with the Directorate-General for Trade of the European Commission and Linde Gas.
Bernd holds a PhD with Summa Cum Laude in European energy policy from Sciences Po Paris and a Master’s Degree with highest honours in Political Science from Ludwig-Maximilians University Munch. He was a Research Fellow at the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Oxford and an Associated Fellow at the Centre for International Studies at Sciences Po Paris. Bernd has been a Visiting Professor of energy policy at the College of Europe in Warsaw, Sciences Po Paris, and the CIFE European Institute in Nice.
Areas of expertise
Energy, Climate, and Industrial Policy
Languages
German, English, French, Portuguese
Awards
Research Fellowship of the Oxford-Sciences Po Research Group (OXPO), University of Oxford
Doctoral fellowship, Konrad Adenauer Foundation
Award for best MA Graduates, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich
Other positions
Member of the Electricity Market Platform, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action
Chair of the Energy and Environment Summits, International Council of Energy and Environment
Advisory Board Member, Federal Association of Offshore Wind Energy
Advisory Board Member, Heimatwurzeln
Education
PhD in European Energy Policy, Sciences Po Paris
M.A. in Political Science, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich
Publications & blog posts
Policy Report
Central vs. hybrid capacity markets: What’s in it for flexibility?
Policy Report
Accelerating a technology-neutral flexibility strategy for the German Power Market
Policy Paper
An Industrial Agenda to Increase Germany's Energy Resilience
Policy Paper
A New Industrial Agenda: Increasing Germany’s Energy Resilience
Policy Report
An Industrial Power Price for Germany: Assessment of policy proposals and potential ways forward
Policy Report
Assessment of market design options for the European Electricity and Gas Market
Policy Paper
How to act?: Assessing the EU’s options for emergency measures to reduce gas prices
Policy Report
What to cap?: Emergency Interventions in the European Electricity and Gas Market
MLI-EPICO Paper
Study
Carbon Pricing in Germany: Future Outlook and Priority Areas
Media outreach & external contributions
Interview with Münchner Merkur
Bernd Weber, advocates for the abolition of the baseload requirement and sees great potential for businesses as a result.
Media Mention in Handelsblatt
EPICO’s Strategy Paper on the future of EU climate and energy policy was mentioned in an article by Handelsblatt.
Interview with Euronews
Bernd Weber participated in the German edition of Euronews’ show “Brussels, my love?”, discussing the future of the European Green Deal and the electric cars’ market in Europe.
Guest Comment in Energate Messenger
In this Guest Comment for Energate, Bernd Weber presents important recommendations to increase Germany and Europe's energy resilience.
Interview with Tagesspiegel Background
Bernd Weber discusses the future of the European Green Deal after the European Parliament elections.
Interview with FAZ
Bernd Weber was interviewed by FAZ on Germany’s debate about splitting the electricity market into price zones.
Interview withWDR
EPICO's CEO Bernd Weber focuses on the reform of the climate protection act (Klimaschutzgesetz). Critics fear that, by no longer dividing CO2 emissions by sectors, fewer measures will be implemented, in particular with regard to hard-to-abate sectors.
Find the full list of media mentions & external contributions here.
About EPICO KlimaInnovation
EPICO is an independent climate and energy policy think tank based in Berlin and Brussels. Founded in 2021 by Dr Bernd Weber, EPICO has a social market-oriented approach to promote a socially cohesive and environmentally sustainable transition to climate neutrality. Supported by its broad-based Advisory Council, EPICO provides a platform and network for diverse stakeholders from politics, academia, industry, and civil society to exchange and find majorities for ambitious climate policies.
For media and press requests, please contact Barbara Vanotti (EU Media) or Agata Gurgenidze (German Media).