Auke Lont the new CEO of Statnett
(10/14/2008)
‘Security of electricity supply is one of the most critical functions in a modern society. This makes Statnett an important company, where I am looking forward to start working’, Statnett’s coming CEO Auke Lont says.
The process to find today’s CEO Odd Håkon Hoelsæter’s successor was initiated in May 2008, when Hoelsæter announced his retirement on the end of 2008.
Auke Lont was the prime choice among several highly qualified candidates. ‘We have found a first class successor in Lont, and are very satisfied to see him take on the position. He was our preferred choice’, Bjarne Aamodt Chairman of the Board states.
Auke Lont has, through several leading positions in both Norwegian and international energy companies, demonstrated the qualities required to ensure secure and reliable operation of Statnett and to bring the company forward. Statnett has over the last few years entered a period of high investments, particularly in the domestic main grid. The company is in the future expected to expand further into operations related to renewables, like wind power, and will be protecting Norwegian interests in Europe on issues regarding a hydropower based energy system.
‘I am really looking forward to work in this highly competent organisation and, together with my new colleagues, sustain security of power supply in Norway, solve exiting, and challenging, activities and create further values’, Lont says.
Auke Lont (50) was born and grew up in the Netherlands. He moved to Norway in 1981. Lont has studied mathematics and economics at the University of Amsterdam, and holds a degree in social economics. After moving to Norway, he was a research assistant at the Norwegian School of Economics and Administration in Bergen, and held several positions within the field of natural gas at Statoil, until he was appointed as the CEO of Naturkraft, when established in 1994. Working for Econ, he moved to South Africa in 1999, before returning to Statoil for four years as Senior Vice President Nordic Energy. He has throughout the latest four years held the position as CEO of Econ Analysis.
Statnett’s CEO Odd Håkon Hoelsæter will step down from his position as planned 2009/01/31. He will retire after leading Statnett for 17 consecutive years from the founding of the organisation in 1992.
