Following the changes, Statnett’s group management team will comprise CEO Auke Lont, Knut Hundhammer (CFO and EVP Shared Services), Peer Olav Østli (EVP Grid Operations), Gunnar G. Løvås (EVP Systems and Markets), Beate Sander Krogstad (EVP IT), Håkon Borgen (EVP Technology and Development) and Elisabeth Vike Vardheim (EVP Construction).
“We are currently in a period of major change in the power generating and distribution sector,” says CEO Auke Lont. “It is therefore natural that we should refine our organisation to better meet the future.”
Østli takes charge of Grid Operations
With effect from 1 May, today’s Markets and Operations division will be split into one division for Grid Operations and one division for Systems and Markets. Peer Olav Østli, who is at present responsible for today’s ICT division, will become the new head of the Grid Operations division.
Løvås takes charge of Systems and Markets
Gunnar G. Løvås will run the new Systems and Markets division. After nine years at senior executive level at Statnett and the Norwegian National Rail Administration, Løvås has acquired extensive management experience. In total, he has more than 20 years’ experience of the energy sector. Before joining the Norwegian National Rail Administration as Deputy Director General, he was EVP Strategy and Communications at Statnett. And before that, he was EVP Grid Development. Løvås has a Master’s degree in engineering from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and a doctorate in mathematical statistics from the University of Oslo.
Sander Krogstad takes charge of IT
Beate Sander Krogstad has been appointed EVP for what will become the IT division on 1 May. Sander Krogstad has held several different management positions since she joined Statnett in 2009, including stints as department manager and project director. She is currently Director of Development in the ICT division. She has a Master’s degree in engineering from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and has also studied international management.
“I am very pleased to be bringing Beate and Gunnar on board,” says CEO Auke Lont. “With the new organisation and management team, we are well equipped to meet the future.”
EVP Øivind Rue, who currently heads the Markets and Operations division, has previously given notice of his wish to take retirement with effect from 1 May. “It has been a pleasure to have had Øivind as a member of my management team in the years that I have led Statnett’s operations, and I would like to thank him for his considerable contribution,” says CEO Auke Lont.