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Minister Rabbitte announces composition of Commission on the North South Electricity Interconnector
The Minister for Energy Pat Rabbitte, today announced the membership of an international expert commission to review and report, within six months, on a case for, and cost of, undergrounding (all or part of) Meath-Tyrone 400KV power lines.
Earlier this month Minister Rabbitte announced the Terms of Reference for the Commission, which were agreed at Cabinet. The Terms of Reference fully reflect the commitment made in the Programme for Government in this regard.
The Minister has appointed Mr. Bo Normark of Sweden as Chair of the Commission. Mr. Normark is currently President of Power Circle AB in Sweden and has a long history in key roles as a recognised expert in the cable industry, primarily with the cable company ABB.
The Minister has appointed Mr. Odd-Håkon Hoelsæter (Norway) and Mr. Ronnie Belmans (Belgium) as members of the Commission.
Mr. Hoelsæter was for many years the CEO if the Norwegian electricity Grid company, Statnett. He was President and a founding member of the European Transmission System Operators group and was Chairman of the Board of NordPool, the Scandinavian regional wholesale electricity exchange.
Mr. Belmans is currently a full professor with the Belgian University K.U.Leuven, teaching electric power and energy systems, and a guest professor at Imperial College of Science, Medicine and Technology, London-UK. He is chairman of the board of directors of ELIA, the Belgian transmission grid operator.
Minister Rabbitte said: “I have appointed a three person Commission which I believe fully meets the criteria of ‘expert, independent and international’. Combining experience in cable development, grid company management and academic research, this Commission will commence working straight away and will, I am confident, carry out the review to the timeframe and standards required by Government in its Terms of Reference”.
“The Commission is entirely independent in its work. My Department will provide the necessary secretariat to assist the Commission in fulfilling its task. I look forward to its report in Autumn”