Romanian energy engineer and specialist Bogdan Leu has been elected International NGN President of International Council on Large Electric Systems (CIGRE) to lead the global CIGRE Next Generation Network community for the 2026-2028 term.

In the new leadership structure, Bogdan Leu will work alongside Logan Rolles of the United States, who was elected Vice-President for the 2026-2028 term. The new leadership team aims to continue developing the international network and strengthen the involvement of young professionals from around the world in CIGRE activities.

'CIGRE is the world's largest professional association in the field of power systems, with around 23,000 members worldwide, 32% of whom are under 35 and are part of the Next Generation Network community, for which I have taken over the presidency for the next two years, following a vote by members of the national committees in around 45 countries. This two-year term is about expanding CIGRE's global activities so that its technical and scientific work reaches as many young people as possible, enabling them to get involved, conduct research, engage in technical activities and participate in all aspects of CIGRE's core work in Paris. For us as Romanians, any leadership position is also a good opportunity to represent the country, while strengthening the importance of the Romanian energy community, which has many highly skilled experts,' Bogdan Leu told AGERPRES.

CIGRE Next Generation Network (NGN) is CIGRE's community dedicated to young professionals from around the world working in the field of power systems. The network provides them with opportunities for professional development, exchange of experience, participation in CIGRE's technical activities and collaboration with established experts from around the world.

Bogdan Leu has nine years of experience in the energy sector and works at Transelectrica, Romania's transmission system operator, as a Research & Innovation Project Manager, where he coordinates research and innovation projects and develops collaborations with international industry and research partners.

He holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering and a master's degree and bachelor's degree in power systems, having undertaken his studies and research at the National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest and Institut Polytechnique de Grenoble.

'Bogdan's election represents not only recognition of his professional work and involvement in CIGRE, but also recognition of the contribution made by the Romanian CIGRE community at international level. We are convinced that this position will further strengthen Romania's visibility and involvement in the global CIGRE community,' CIGRE Romania President Ciprian Diaconu said, according to a press release from the organisation.

CIGRE is an independent, non-profit organisation founded 100 years ago to support the development of the electricity sector. CIGRE combines local expertise with a global perspective, bringing together all stakeholders across the electricity value chain.

Around 15,000 experts from 100 countries are taking part in the CIGRE 2026 Paris Session from 23 to 28 August to discuss the challenges of electrification. The 2026 edition is focusing on the sector's most important issues: the impact of artificial intelligence and data centres on power systems; lessons and response measures following recent major power outages; grid-forming technologies, which are essential for integrating high shares of renewable energy without compromising grid stability; developments in electricity markets and flexibility mechanisms; cybersecurity and infrastructure planning.

The only Romanian company exhibiting at this year's event is Enevo Group, which is presenting its expertise in EPC and cybersecurity for energy infrastructure at its stand and organising dedicated workshops, presentations and live demonstrations of its SentryOT cybersecurity platform. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Nicoleta Gherasi; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu)