As announced at the Energy Ireland Conference 2011 in Croke Park this week, Pat Rabbitte, TD, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, has appointed Mr. Dermot Nolan as Chairperson of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). Minister Rabbitte said,“I am delighted to formally announce Dermot’s appointment as Chairperson. The CER plays a critical role in regulating the energy sector. Crucial to this is ensuring the
competitiveness of the overall economy through ensuring a fair and competitive energy marketplace”.
The Minister added, “Dermot’s experience as Energy Commissioner and previously in ComReg will equip him to succeed in this exciting and challenging role”.
At the conference Minister Rabbitte also thanked the outgoing Chairperson, Mr. Michael Tutty, for his work as Commissioner since 2004 and as Chairman of the CER from October 2008, “Michael’s professionalism and dedication allowed him, as Commissioner, and then as Chairperson, to assist in the establishment of the all-island Single Electricity Market, deliver a competitive wholesale and retail energy market, and oversee the beginning of EirGrid’s build out of the East West Interconnector”.
Dermot Nolan obtained his Ph.D in Economics from Yale University before lecturing in the University of London for 5 years. He returned to Ireland in 2001 as Manager of the Mergers division in the Competition Authority, and also worked on issues such as competition in professional services.
He became Senior Economic Advisor and Director of the Retail Division in ComReg in 2005, working mainly in the areas of competition and consumer protection in telecoms as well as issues such as the efficient allocation of the radio spectrum.
Dermot’s lead responsibilities within the CER include retail electricity and gas, the Single Electricity Market (SEM), the CER’s Smart Metering project, environmental policy and customer care matters. He is also responsible for licensing, European regulatory matters, the CER’s strategic planning and monitoring, as well as internal operations.