On 2 April, the European Renewable Energy Council (EREC) announced the appointment of Josche Muth as new secretary-general.  Muth joined the EREC Policy Team as policy adviser in June 2009. In January 2011 he became deputy secretary-general. Before joining EREC, Muth worked as energy policy adviser to MEP Mechtild Rothe (S&D, Germany), former vice-president of the European Parliament. EREC is the umbrella organisation of the major European renewable energy industry, trade and research associations active in the field of photovoltaics, small hydropower, solar thermal, bioenergy, geothermal, solar thermal electricity and wind energy.