Energy Markets and Security Conference 2023

Colm O’Neill is a Partner at KPMG where he is Head of Energy, Utilities & Telecoms. He advises clients across the sectors on strategy, M&A, digital transformation, and culture development. With over 30 years’ experience, Colm has spent most of his career in industry, leading capital intensive, regulated businesses through major transformations. Most recently these included roles as chief executive of BT Ireland and Managing Director of BT’s Corporate and Public Sector business in the UK.

Richard Murphy is a Partner and Head of Energy (Ireland) at Pinsent Masons LLP. His energy expertise and experience includes advising clients on a range of regulatory, advisory and transactional matters. Richard is rated as a leading individual for energy work in both Chambers UK and the Legal 500. Richard sits on the Northern Ireland Renewables Industry Group Committee (NIRIG) and is a regular speaker at energy industry events and conferences.

Simon Ludlam is an experienced energy professional, currently CEO at MaresConnect, a 750MW interconnector project linking GB and Ireland. He has originated and led several interconnector projects in northwest Europe, including the €500m Greenlink interconnector and the €600m ElecLink project. Simon is the founder of Etchea Energy, a developer of energy projects supporting the green transition. He previously worked in investment banking and private equity

John Melvin took on the role of Director of Security of Supply and Wholesale at the Commission for Regulation of Utilities in January 2022 having previously worked as the Director of Energy Markets and Smart Metering since 2018 and previously as Director of Energy Networks and Legal. Prior to joining the CRU in 2008, John worked in the commercial energy sector in engineering consultancy and operation of power generation facilities. He is a graduate of University College Dublin where he completed a B.Eng in Mechanical Engineering, and also holds a M.Sc. in Finance from the Smurfit School of Business.

Todd Bessemer is the Managing Director of Market Reform, a management and economic consultancy specialising in energy, water and environmental markets, which he founded in 2004. He is a global expert on energy market restructuring and reform and has spent over 25 years as an advisor to energy spot and futures markets, system operators, regulators and governments, service providers, participants and investors – in over fifteen countries, spanning four continents. Todd has particular experience planning and leading strategic major market establishment and transformation initiatives and has advised extensively on strategy definition and business planning, market design, technology implementation, organisational change, and market readiness.

Todd Bessemer is the Managing Director of Market Reform, a management and economic consultancy specialising in energy, water and environmental markets, which he founded in 2004. He is a global expert on energy market restructuring and reform and has spent over 25 years as an advisor to energy spot and futures markets, system operators, regulators and governments, service providers, participants and investors – in over fifteen countries, spanning four continents. Todd has particular experience planning and leading strategic major market establishment and transformation initiatives and has advised extensively on strategy definition and business planning, market design, technology implementation, organisational change, and market readiness.

Peter O’Shea is Head of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs at ESB. He joined ESB in 1999 having previously spent 12 years in the UK power industry working in a range of technical, commercial and regulatory positions with the CEGB and the National Grid Company. Peter joined ESB as Competition and Regulation Manager and was later appointed to the position of Chief Information Officer (CIO) and General Manager - ESB Services. Prior to taking up his current role Peter served as ESB’s Head of Strategy and Regulation. Peter is an engineering graduate from UCD and holds an MBA from Warwick University. Peter is Chairman of the Electricity Association of Ireland, a member of the Advisory Board of the International Energy Research Centre at the Tyndall Institute and is a Past President of the British Irish Chamber of Commerce. Outside of work Peter is heavily involved in GAA and has served in a range of roles with the Association including as Chairman of Ballinteer St Johns CLG.

Lucy Plant is the Manager for Strategic Partnerships at Enel X UK & Ireland and a seasoned professional with over 19 years’ experience in the energy industry. At Enel X, Lucy drives growth through strategic technology collaborations that enable industrial and commercial businesses to actively and dynamically participate in the transformation of the energy sector. Prior to Enel X, Lucy held various leadership roles including Sales Director at a leading petroleum laboratory in USA. A career pivot to the utilities and renewables sector brought her to Ireland in 2022. She is a dedicated professional who is always looking for new and innovative ways to make a difference and create a more sustainable future for us all.

Thomas Verstraeten is Senior Counsel at KPMG Law and has been a member of the Brussels Bar since 2002, he has more than 20 years experience as a lawyer in EU and Belgian energy law and competition law. In the energy field, Thomas has assisted with energy project development i.e. solar, wind (onshore and offshore), biomass and gas fired plants. He has advised on electricity and gas market rules and regulation at Belgian, regional and EU level. Thomas has a wealth of experience in dealing with, and litigating against, energy regulators (CREG, CWAPE, VREG, BRUGEL), before the specialized Markets Court, the Constitutional Court and the Court of Justice of the European Union. He has a number of publications on energy law and competition law and has presented on energy law topics at conferences of the American Bar Association and the European Wind Energy Association.

Savannah Altvater is the Data Management and Flexibility lead and Retail Advisor in the Markets & Customers team at Eurelectric. Her work focuses on distributed flexibility, retail markets, and consumer engagement and protection. She holds a Master of European Public Policy from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.

Neil Walker is Ibec’s Head of Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Policy. Prior to joining Ibec in 2010, he held a variety of senior management positions in industry in the UK and Ireland, as well as the Sustainable Energy Authority and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities. Neil holds a Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from Cambridge University, an MBA Degree from London Business School and a PhD in Environmental Economics from University College Dublin. He has been the industry representative on An Forám Uisce since its inception.

John Melvin took on the role of Director of Security of Supply and Wholesale at the Commission for Regulation of Utilities in January 2022 having previously worked as the Director of Energy Markets and Smart Metering since 2018 and previously as Director of Energy Networks and Legal. Prior to joining the CRU in 2008, John worked in the commercial energy sector in engineering consultancy and operation of power generation facilities. He is a graduate of University College Dublin where he completed a B.Eng in Mechanical Engineering, and also holds a M.Sc. in Finance from the Smurfit School of Business.

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Lower Fitzwilliam Street
Dublin 2, D02 XT91

Tel: +353 (0)1 661 3755
Email: info@energyireland.ie
Twitter: @energyireland

The Marker Hotel

The Marker is located on Grand Canal Square in the heart of the vibrant Docklands, a walkable area known for its burgeoning cultural and café scene. The historic centre’s famous Georgian streets, Temple Bar, Grafton St. and Trinity College lie to the west, reached either on foot, by public transport or the hotel’s courtesy car.

• Golden Ln, Dublin, Ireland

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