Hans van Steen began his career in the Danish Ministry for Education and later moved to the Ministry for Energy as Head of Sector for European and Nordic energy co-operation. He joined the European Commission in 1989 as a Seconded National Expert, working mainly in the area of energy technology dissemination. Following several assignments in the fields of energy and transport, he became Deputy Head of Unit for Inter-institutional Affairs (2001- 2006), Head of Unit for Renewable Energy (2006 - 2013) and for International Energy Relations and Enlargement (2013 - 2017). From 2018 to 2021, Mr van Steen was Acting Director for Renewables, Research, Innovation and Energy Efficiency. He took up his current responsibilities on 16 January 2022. Mr van Steen holds a Master's Degree in Political Science from the University of Århus, Denmark.