Hydro Tasmania today welcomed the announcement of Richard Bolt as its new Chair of the Board.

Working in both the public and private sectors, Mr Bolt has led major innovation and reform across several industries, including energy, resources, agriculture, education, economic development, and transport. He was a leading architect of the national energy market’s governance systems.

Hydro Tasmania CEO, Ian Brooksbank said senior executives looked forward to working closely with Mr Bolt over what is set to be an exciting period of growth for Hydro Tasmania.

“We have a bold vision for the role of hydro energy in powering the Tasmanian economy and in leading the national transition to renewable energy,” Mr Brooksbank said.

“Richard’s incredible knowledge and track record in the energy sector will be invaluable in charting that course.””

Mr Brooksbank paid tribute to outgoing Chair, Grant Every-Burns, who has been on the Hydro Tasmania Board since 2012 and in the role of Chair since 2014.

“An electrical engineer by trade, Grant knows every corner of the energy industry,” Mr Brooksbank said.

“He steered the company through an enormous shift in the energy sector and his passion for Tasmania as the Battery of the Nation has the put the State in prime position to capitalise on that transition.”

Mr Brooksbank also acknowledged Mr Every-Burns’ calm and steady leadership throughout 2015 and 2016, when the Basslink outage combined with drought, posed significant challenges for energy supply in Tasmania.