The graduate physicist sees the energy transition as one of the most fascinating change processes of the present day, which in addition to challenges also brings opportunities.

Andreas Kuhlmann has been the CEO of dena since July 2015. In this role, he increased dena's profile as a driver and pioneer of energy transition and climate protection. Exemplary projects for this include the international innovation initiative "Start Up Energy Transition", which now brings together around 1,500 start-ups from all over the world, as well as the "Integrated Energy Transition" pilot study, whereby dena, together with more than 60 partners from business and science, is developing strategies for the future and the achievements of the climate goals.

Andreas Kuhlmann sees the energy transition as one of the most fascinating change processes of the present day, which, in addition to challenges, above all also brings with it opportunities. With this in mind, he brings his knowledge of diverse national and international projects acquired at the interface between business and politics into the energy and climate policy debate. And he campaigns for more courage and determination in designing the framework conditions that are necessary for the success of the energy transition.

Andreas Kuhlmann (born in Recklinghausen in 1967, catholic, married, one daughter) majored in physics and minored in economics at the universities of Bonn, Heidelberg and Corvallis (USA). He started his career in 1995 at the Institute of Environmental Physics at Ruprecht-Karls University in Heidelberg, where he primarily focused on the carbon cycle. This was followed by various political posts, including at the European Parliament, with the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), at the Bundestag, within the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and at the German Embassy in Stockholm.

In 2010 Andreas Kuhlmann joined the German Association of Energy and Water Industires (BDEW) and took over the Politics and Economics departments as Director of Strategy and Politics. He was responsible for the strategic and political development of BDEW as well as the dialogue with politics, business and the public.