Tuesday 12 October 2010

Supergrid appoints first chief executive

Friends of the Supergrid, an organisation formed this year by 10 global companies to push for a pan-European electricity network, has appointed its first chief executive.

Ana Aguado joins the organisation from the European University Institute where she was a director. Before that she was secretary general of the Association of European Transmission System Operators.

Friends of the Supergrid has also signed up three new members. Belgium-based CG Power Systems designs and makes power transformers.

Nexans Norway supplies submarine power and telecommunication cables, while WPD Offshore is an operator and developer of wind power.

The other founding members of the organisation are 3E, Areva, DEME Blue Energy, Elia, Hochtief Construction, Mainstream Renewable Power, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Prysmian Cables & Systems, Siemens and Visser & Smit Marine Contracting.

Ms Aguado said a European supergrid was "the best way forward for European energy, both when considering the importance of establishing the continent's security of supply and the need to cut emissions significantly in the coming decades".

Eddie O'Connor, chief executive of Mainstream Renewable Power, said: "In Ana we have found the perfect chief executive to take our vision forward and lead the hard work needed to make the Friends of the Supergrid a significant and real force within the debate on the future of European energy, and a key contributor to the ultimate reality of a supergrid that underpins the necessary growth in renewable energy within Europe.