Friends of the Supergrid (FOSG), the organisation launched in March of this year by ten global companies to progress policy towards the construction of a pan-European Supergrid, is pleased to announce the appointment of its first CEO Ana Aguado and three new founding members: Nexans, wpd offshore and CG Power Systems.

Ana joins the group from her role as Brussels Director of the European University Institute where her work focused on raising the profile of research carried out by the Institute through the media, industry and EU Institutions. Prior to that she was Secretary General of the Association of European Transmission System Operators and throughout her career has worked in Brussels for 18 years, strengthening links between industry, EU institutions and the scientific community.

Through the combination of their respective areas of expertise, the FOSG members have unique insight into the policies needed to create the Supergrid and have the capability to deliver it in practice. The three new members are:

CG Power Systems, headquartered in Belgium, is one of the world leaders in the design and manufacture of three-phase distribution and power transformers, and a fast growing competitor in the market of substations, integrated solutions and services.

Nexans Norway AS is a leading supplier of medium and high voltage submarine power and telecommunication cables. Nexans offering includes turnkey solutions including design, manufacture, installation and protection of cable systems worldwide.

wpd offshore is part of the wpd group,  operator and developer of renewable energy projects with focus on wind power, operating in 21 countries worldwide. So far, the wpd group has erected wind farms with approximately 1,600 wind turbines and an output of 2 GW.

The other founding members are 3E, AREVA T&D, DEME Blue Energy, Elia, Hochtief Construction AG, Mainstream Renewable Power, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Prysmian Cables & Systems, Siemens and Visser & Smit Marine Contracting.

Eddie O’Connor, founding member of Friends of the Supergrid and Chief Executive Officer of Mainstream Renewable Power, commented: ‘‘Today is highly significant for the group. 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.

It is hugely pleasing to welcome Nexans, wpd offshore and CG Power Systems to the group. These are all leaders in their respective fields and reinforce the high quality of the members we have gathered to date. We look forward to working with them all in taking forward our plans for the Supergrid.’

Ana Aguado, CEO of FOSG, said: ’I am delighted to be joining the group. I share its vision and believe it is 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. The members of the group all bring world class expertise in their disciplines and I am confident we can capture that expertise effectively to take the supergrid from concept to reality.