David Gray, chairman of Ofgem, is to retire when his five-year term comes to an end in September 2018.
Formerly an executive director of Ofgem from 2003-07, in charge of the networks division, Gray was appointed chairman of the UK Gas & Electricity Markets Authority (GEMA), Ofgem’s ruling body in October 2013.
Under his chairmanship, Ofgem has continued to roll out a series of competitively tendered transmission lines for offshore windfarms, under the offshore transmission owner (OFTO) programme.
Ofgem had been planning to develop a similar programme for onshore lines, known as the CATO programme, but legislation to allow that to happen has not yet been forthcoming.
The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Department (BEIS), will oversee the recruitment process for the next chair, which will begin “shortly”, according to Ofgem. BEIS Secretary Greg Clark will officially make the appointment.
Ofgem searches for new chair
Energy regulator Ofgem has announced its current chairman is to step down next year.