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Tommy Ahlers becomes new chairman of crisis-hit Energinet
🇩🇰 Denmark /Energy & Infrastructure

Tommy Ahlers becomes new chairman of crisis-hit Energinet

From Berlingske · () Danish

Translated from Danish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • Tommy Ahlers, a former minister and entrepreneur, has been appointed the new chairman of Energinet, Denmark's state-owned energy infrastructure company.
  • The appointment comes amid significant criticism of Energinet's handling of grid capacity issues that are delaying the green transition.
  • Ahlers acknowledged the challenges but deferred specific comments until he officially takes up the role on August 15.

Tommy Ahlers, a former Venstre minister and prominent entrepreneur, will take the helm as the new chairman of Energinet, the Danish state-owned company responsible for the country's electricity, gas, and hydrogen infrastructure. The appointment by Climate, Energy, and Utilities Minister Samira Nawa aims to bring Ahlers' strong business acumen and "green voice" to the critical energy sector.

With Tommy Ahlers as the new chairman, Energinet gets a strong business profile, top leader, and a strong green voice who is passionate about making Denmark greener and richer. And the green transition requires an electricity grid that can keep up.

— Samira NawaMinister for Climate, Energy, and Utilities, announcing Tommy Ahlers' appointment.

"With Tommy Ahlers as the new chairman, Energinet gets a strong business profile, top leader, and a strong green voice who is passionate about making Denmark greener and richer," Nawa stated in a press release. "And the green transition requires an electricity grid that can keep up." Ahlers, who also chairs the think tank Concito and the Metro Company, succeeds Mogens Lykketoft, who has held the position since 2020.

Energinet is a critical actor for critical areas such as the green transition, the competitiveness of businesses, and energy independence, which stand and fall with us having a functioning electricity grid.

— Tommy AhlersAhlers commenting on the importance of Energinet's role.

The leadership change occurs at a critical juncture for Energinet. The company has faced intense criticism over the past 18 months for its inability to manage the electricity grid's capacity. This deficit has led to delays in connecting new consumers and businesses, consequently hindering the green transition as companies cannot switch to green electricity. The strained grid has caused significant political fallout, including attempts to oust the former climate minister over alleged withholding of information.

It is clear that there are a number of challenges at Energinet.

— Tommy AhlersAhlers acknowledging the difficulties facing Energinet.

Ahlers acknowledged the company's difficulties, stating, "It is clear that there are a number of challenges at Energinet." He suggested that problems are a natural consequence of the historic expansion of the electricity grid. However, he declined to comment on specific issues regarding the troubled grid expansion, delays, and lack of oversight until he officially assumes his duties on August 15. "What exactly is up and down, I would like to talk about when I have taken my seat," he told Ritzau.

What exactly is up and down, I would like to talk about when I have taken my seat.

— Tommy AhlersAhlers deferring specific comments on Energinet's issues until he starts his role.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Berlingske in Danish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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