Estonian energy and renewables company Eesti Energia will soon begin the search for a new chairman, following a decision not to extend the contract of the current chairman of the board, Hando Sutter.
With the supervisory council of Eesti Energia deciding not to extend the contract Sutter, his mandate will expire in accordance with the current agreement on 31 March 2023.
The supervisory council will start the search for a new Chairman of the Board in the autumn of 2022.
The current contracts of all other board members will also expire on 31 March 2023, including those for Andri Avila, Raine Pajo, Margus Vals and Agnes Roos.
Sutter has been the chairman since 1 December 2014 and his contract had been extended twice in the past.
Anne Mere, chairwoman of Eesti’s supervisory council, said: “Under the leadership of Hando Sutter, Eesti Energia has undergone ground-breaking changes: developed customer-friendly energy solutions, invested in renewable energy production both in Estonia and in neighbouring countries, continued the oil shale valorisation process, and developed the company’s management processes and internal efficiency.
“We would like to thank him for his great commitment and results.”
Sutter said: “The current time in energy sector is stormy in many ways. Eesti Energia continues to undergo rapid changes as well.
“I have had the privilege of leading this journey for 8 years with a great team.
“A particularly difficult winter lies ahead, and early clarity about the new chairman will help to hand the baton over smoothly. I will give my best until my last day at work.”
The new chairman of the management board of Eesti Energia is expected to commit to fulfilling the company’s owner’s expectations by supplying Estonian business and private consumers with both market-based electricity and regulated electricity as of 1 October.
Mere added: “The head of the company is expected to continue focusing on innovation and development projects in large-scale energy production in order to ensure the reduction of our environmental footprint, while taking into account the company’s role in ensuring the security of supply of electric energy in Estonia.
“The organisation must be value-driven with a broad-based management team.
“Eesti Energia affects the competitiveness of the entire Estonian economy through energy, and therefore the company must actively cooperate with the state, market participants and communities both in Estonia and in export markets.”
Eesti Energia’s strategy is to provide consumers with “beneficial and convenient” energy solutions as well as to produce energy in an increasingly environmentally friendly manner.
The company will continue to invest in the growth of renewable energy production and to carry out the transition away from being an oil shale electricity producer.