Hendry served as Energy Minister for over two years from the time of formation of the coalition government in May 2010.
RenewableUK external affairs director Jennifer Webber said Hayes previously served as Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning.
"We know that he already appreciates the importance of providing the right training for the skilled workforce of the future," Webber added.
"Tens of thousands of those workers will be in the green energy sector, so Mr Hayes’ experience at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills will serve him in good stead as Energy Minister, and we look forward to working with him.
"His predecessor Charles Hendry made an outstanding contribution to the Department of Energy and Climate Change. He was instrumental in the setting up of the Offshore Wind Cost Reduction Task Force, which published a key report in June showing how the cost of offshore wind can be driven down by more than 30% in the next seven years."
The trade and professional body said Hayes, a Conservative MP, has played a key role in the particularly challenging task of drafting the Energy Bill.
