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Global biogas trade body announces new Council Members

The World Biogas Association (WBA) has announced the recent election of three new members to join its Council for the term March 2025 to March 2028.  They are:

  • David Tinarwo, Board Member, South African Biogas Industry Association (SABIA) and Associate Professor, Department of Physics, University of Venda
  • Franco Ferrario, CEO, Blu H Energy
  • Yashas Suhas Bhand, CEO, Organic Recycling Systems Ltd

Commenting on his appointment, Prof. Tinarwo said: “I am honoured to join the WBA Council and eager to contribute to advancing biogas technologies that transform waste into valuable energy and agricultural resources. By focusing on sustainable solutions, we can empower rural communities, enhance energy access, and promote environmental stewardship.”​

Franco Ferrario welcomed his election saying: “I’m honoured to join the WBA Council at a time when biogas and biomethane are gaining the recognition they deserve as essential pillars of the global energy transition” commented Franco Ferrario. “These technologies are uniquely positioned to deliver on decarbonisation, energy security, and circularity — all at once. I look forward to contributing a strategic and innovation-driven perspective to help accelerate their deployment across diverse markets and regulatory frameworks”.

On receiving news of his appointment, Yashas Suhas Bhand, said: “I am honoured to join the WBA Council at a time when biogas stands at the heart of global climate and energy solutions. In India, we are uniquely positioned to lead the way through innovative use of organic waste, policy alignment, and inclusive models. I look forward to contributing to the Council’s vision of accelerating bioenergy worldwide and building systems that turn waste into opportunity, energy into equity, and sustainability into everyday practice”.

The other members of the WBA Council are:

  • Chris Maloney, Board Advisor, Entsorga
  • Alex Marshall, Group Business Development and Marketing Director, Clarke Energy
  • Pierre Emmanuel Pardo, Senior Project Manager, Suez
  • Felipe Souza Marques, Market Strategy Director, CIBiogas
  • Alzbeta Bouskova Houghton, Convener of the Biogas Interest Group, Bioenergy Association New Zealand
  • Zuzana Vrbova, Team Leader R&D EU – Energy and Sustainability, ACT Commodities
  • Mathieu de Carvalho, Regulations and Public Affairs Sr Manager, TotalEnergies
  • Aimée Green, Policy and Advocacy Advisor, Biogas / Biomethane and Syngas / e-NG, Shell
  • Dr Yadira Bajon Fernandez, Senior Lecturer in Bioresources Science and Engineering, Cranfield University and Policy Fellow, Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (UK)
  • Kunal Shah, Senior Vice President – Aquatech, Director – Clinfra Solutions Pte Ltd

“We’re delighted to welcome David, Franco and Yashas to the WBA Council and congratulate them on their appointments”, commented Charlotte Morton OBE, WBA Chief Executive. “The WBA Council plays a critical advisory role to the work of WBA by providing strategic direction and supporting our efforts in facilitating the growth of our sector – which the International Energy Agency predicts to increase by 30% in the period 2024-2030 (source: Renewables 2024)”

As we continue developing our #MakingBiogasHappen programme with the deployment of the international certification scheme and biogas regulatory framework (1), the experience and expertise held within our Council will bring invaluable expertise to ensure the success of this initiative and of the industry as a whole.  We look forward to working with all these Members over the coming years”, she concluded.

– ENDS –

For further information:

Jocelyne Bia, Senior Communications Consultant
jbia@worldbiogasassociation.org ; +44 (0)20 3176 0592

Notes to editors:

  • Prof David Tinarwo
    Tinarwo is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Venda, South Africa. He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Kassel, Germany, an M.Sc. in Renewable Energy, a B.Sc. Honours in Physics from the University of Zimbabwe, and a Licentiate in Education (Physics) from Cuba. He has a deep commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions, particularly in rural and underserved communities. Throughout his career, Prof. Tinarwo has led and collaborated on over ten national and international projects aimed at implementing biogas technology for sustainable rural development. He has authored over 20 peer-reviewed journal articles and contributed to books on biofuels and renewable energy.
  • Franco Ferrario
    Franco Ferrario is an experienced executive in the industrial, chemical, and renewable energy sectors, with a strong focus on biogas and biomethane. He is the Founder and CEO of Blu H Energy, a fast-growing biomethane platform currently operating 20 plants in Italy, and CEO of Sorriso Holdco, a joint venture with abrdn and one of the country’s largest biomethane platforms. He also serves on the board of SIAD Group, a leading international chemical and industrial gases company. With a background that includes strategic M&A, energy innovation, and financial advisory, Franco brings a cross-sector perspective to scaling sustainable infrastructure in both mature and emerging markets.
  • Yashas Suhas Bhand

Yashas Bhand is a seasoned leader in the waste management and renewable energy sectors, serving as CEO and Whole-Time Director of Organic Recycling Systems Ltd. His extensive experience, encompassing technology development, project execution, and sustainable infrastructure planning, is driven by a commitment to circular economy principles. With a background in biotechnology, environmental law, and business administration, Yashas has spearheaded the advancement of decentralized biogas systems and containerized waste treatment solutions with major focus on mitigating organic fraction from municipal solid waste.

  • Launched at COP22 in Marrakesh in 2016, the World Biogas Association is the global trade association for the biogas, landfill gas and anaerobic digestion (AD) sectors, and is dedicated to facilitating the recycling of all organic wastes, crop residues and break crops through biogas technologies such as anaerobic digestion (AD) globally. It believes that the global adoption of these technologies is a multi-faceted opportunity to produce clean, renewable energy, bioCO2 and natural fertilisers while resolving global issues related to development, public health and economic growth. www.worldbiogasassociation.org
  • The #MakingBiogasHappen Programme is a global initiative that equips governments, regulators and industry with the tools to overcome barriers and sustainably scale up anaerobic digestion solutions. It supports the development of thriving biogas sectors by establishing benchmarks for operational excellence, safety and sustainability. The programme includes two core initiatives:

 

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