— I and the rest of the Board of Directors are delighted that Elisabeth Vike Vardheim has agreed to take up the position of CEO. The Board has carried out a thorough recruitment process where we have considered several strong candidates for the position, says chairman Nils Kristian Nakstad.
— During her time as acting CEO and in this process, Vardheim has shown that she is the right person to lead Statnett forward in the important work the company does to ensure electricity supply in a time of major changes in the power system, continues Nakstad.
Happy for the trust shown in her
Elisabeth Vike Vardheim has worked at Statnett since 2007 and has been part of Statnett`s Group Management since 2014. Before becoming acting CEO of Statnett 1 June 2024 she had the role of EVP for Grid and Asset Management. In this position she was responsible for planning, designing, building and operating the transmission grid in Norway.
— I am very happy for the trust shown in me from our Board of Directors, and I look forward to leading and working together with all the skilled professionals in Statnett and with our Group Management. It has been inspiring to be acting CEO and work with more aspects of our operations than I did in my previous role, says Vardheim.
Major strategic tasks
She says Statnett faces major strategic tasks in order to increase the capacity of the existing grid and in the power system.
— In addition, Statnett must plan and build grid faster and more efficiently, while at the same time increase robustness and preparedness in both operations and development, says Vardheim.
Statnett is in the middle of the important work of automating system operations and updating the ten Area Plans that describes the need for upgrading the grid in various parts of the country, in dialogue with those affected by our projects.
— At the same time as we optimize the utilization of our existing grid and implement our construction projects, Statnett will take nature, sustainability and safety into account in everything we do, says Vardheim.