Didier Houssin took charge as the International Energy Agency’s new Director of Sustainable Energy Policy and Technology effective 1 December 2012. Previously, he served for five years as Director of Energy Markets and Security. In his new role, Mr. Houssin is responsible for all aspects of energy sustainability, such as energy efficiency policy, energy technology policy and energy-related climate change policy, including carbon capture storage (CCS).
Before joining the IEA, Mr. Houssin had wide-ranging experience in numerous posts both in the French Government and the private industrial sector. From 1997 to 2004, he was Director of Energy and Mineral Resources in the French Ministry of Economy and Finances, and from 2004 to 2007, he was Managing Director of BRGM, the French Geological Survey, with extensive management responsibilities over the 850-strong group. His responsibilities at BRGM included overseeing CCS and geothermal energy. From 1987 to 1990, Mr. Houssin held a position in European Affairs at Total, where he was responsible for developing EU strategy.
Of French nationality, Mr. Houssin graduated from the École nationale d’administration and has a Masters in International Law. He also has degrees in Philosophy from Université de Paris 1 - La Sorbonne and in Political Science from the Institut d’études politiques de Paris.