Expanded membership for 2016
The European Distribution System Operators for Smart Grids (EDSO) is pleased to welcome two new full members, Caruna and E.ON, and one new associate member, Netbeheer Nederland, following its Board of Directors and General Assembly meeting.
EDSO Chairman João Torres said, “We are delighted to welcome Caruna, E.ON and Netbeheer Nederland to the association, adding to the diversity and geographic scope of our membership base. We look forward to their contribution to the important EDSO activities foreseen in 2016.”
Caruna is Finland’s largest distribution system operator (DSO), serving about 20% of the market. Caruna distributes electricity to 650,000 private and corporate customers in South, Southwest and West Finland, as well as in the city of Joensuu, the sub-region of Koillismaa, Lapland and the Satakunta region. Caruna employs 270 employees and contracts directly 1800 additional workers all over Finland.
“We are delighted to be accepted members of EDSO. At the moment we are investing heavily in the construction of a weatherproof network and, in addition, investing EUR 150m annually in the development of our electricity network. Increasingly in Finland, more energy is being generated locally and connected directly to the grid, which is why we see a need to cooperate with leading DSOs to bring smart grids from vision to reality in Europe,” said Ari Koponen, Caruna CEO.
In the future, E.ON’s business will focus on renewables, distribution networks and energy solutions for its customers. E.ON is one of the largest European DSOs, active in seven countries (including Turkey) with around 26 million customers connected to its energy grids. The company is a leader in integrating distributed energy generation and has over one million kilometers of network.
“DSOs in Europe are at the heart of the European energy transition and face new regulatory challenges at a national level. We are delighted to join EDSO, which is an additional powerful voice of DSO interests at the European level. We are looking forward to participating in discussions and best practice exchanges on smart DSO experiences all over Europe and to playing an active role in policy debates,” said Leonhard Birnbaum, Board Member and Chief Regional Officer of E.ON SE.
Netbeheer Nederland, the Association of Grid Operators in the Netherlands, represents the interests of both electricity and gas sectors. Netbeheer Nederland is in permanent dialogue with governmental bodies and market participants on the contribution that grid operators can make towards the successful transition to a sustainable energy supply.
“The three largest Dutch DSOs, key Netbeheer Nederland members, are already members of EDSO — some of them even EDSO founders. EDSO’s focus on smart grids is important; it was once a subject for future but now is ‘business as usual.’ We are happy to contribute to their advancement,” said André Jurjus, Director Netbeheer Nederland.
With these additions, EDSO’s membership now comprises 33 leading European DSOs and four associate members.
