Hydro Tasmania locks in new CEO to lead battery of the nation project

Hydro Tasmania has appointed Ian Brooksbank has its permanent chief executive officer, after having acted in the position over the last nine months.

Brooksbank has served as the acting CEO of Hydro Tas since September last year, following Evangelista Albertini’s decision to step down from the position.

Brooksbank previously served as Hydro Tas’ chief financial officer, as well as senior positions with Country Energy, Blue NRG and AGL Energy.

He will take the permanent helm of the government owned utility, which owns and operates the bulk of Tasmania’s hydroelectric assets, as well as retailer Momentum Energy and consultancy Entura.

The company is also leading the development of the Battery of the Nation initiative, which would see Tasmanian pumped hydro projects provide energy storage capacity to the Australian main-land, drawing upon the proposed Marinus Link undersea interconnector.

Chair of Hydro Tasmania’s board, Grant Every-Burns, said that Brooksbank had served the company well over the last nine months.

“Over the past nine months, Ian has provided strong leadership to the Hydro team and worked closely with Government to kick start the Tarraleah upgrade works as part of the Battery of the Nation initiative,” he said.

“He has delivered strong financial performance and demonstrated a high level of care for our people and the Tasmanian community.”

Brooksbank said he was taking on the permanent CEO role during a time of significant change within energy markets.

“Throughout my career in Australia’s energy industry I have never witnessed such a rapid rate of disruption and change as we are experiencing at the moment,” Brooksbank said.

“We are on the cusp of the most critical transformation our industry has ever experienced, which brings great challenges but also great opportunities, especially for a clean energy business with such an incredible pioneering legacy.”

“I’m proud to take on the responsibility of leading Hydro Tasmania’s next chapter, that will see us make an even greater contribution to Tasmania and support a clean energy future for all Australians.”