Energy Impact Partners hires Kuhn as senior advisor

Energy Impact Partners (EIP), a global investment firm, has hired the former head of the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), Tom Kuhn, as a senior advisor.

In his role at EIP, a firm with more than $4 billion in assets under management that invests in companies decarbonizing the global economy, Kuhn will provide business and strategic counsel to EIP’s more than 70 strategic partners and 100-plus portfolio companies, as well as prospects to advance clean-energy innovation.

“The energy transition is a fascinating but complex undertaking that requires bringing industry, innovators and capital together to achieve it in an affordable and reliable manner,” Hans Kobler, founder and managing partner of EIP, said. “Tom’s extensive experience and network working with policymakers, corporations and innovators will add tremendous value to EIP advancing our mission. We are excited and humbled to see him join our team.”

Kuhn, who led EEI as president and CEO for more than 30 years, has played a pivotal role in advancing industry safety, leading clean energy transition efforts, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion across the industry. Under his leadership, EEI’s member corporations agreed to cut emissions 80 percent by 2050. He also spearheaded EEI’s mutual assistance efforts designed to restore utilities quickly and safely in the event of a natural disaster such as a tornado, wildfire or hurricane. Kuhn was also instrumental in fostering the passage of several key policy initiatives, including the United States’ efforts to rejoin the Paris Accords, the passage of the bipartisan infrastructure legislation, and the clean energy tax credits of the Inflation Reduction Act.

“I’ve known Hans and EIP for 9 years,” Kuhn said. “They were and continue to be a great partner to EEI and the electricity industry through their strategic investments in new technologies that aim to accelerate the reduction of carbon emissions and improve the efficiency of the grid, among many other things. Reaching net zero is an ambitious goal, and I look forward to collaborating with EIP, their portfolio companies and investors as they work to develop solutions,” he added.