Boss of Irish government-owned firm which keeps NI’s lights on quits suddenly

The full reasons for Jo Aston’s departure from the System Operator for Northern Ireland (SONI) are not yet clear but in recent years there has been considerable turmoil within the Irish government-owned strategically significant company which operates the electricity gird.

Ms Aston arrived at SONI last May, coming straight from the Utility Regulator of Northern Ireland, the regulator which oversees the company and decides on its level of profitability – and where she had been in charge of regulating the single electricity market of which SONI is a key component.

Two months after Ms Aston’s arrival, her former organisation, the regulator, began a major investigation into whether SONI’s Irish government-owned parent company, EirGrid, was wrongly interfering in its affairs.

It is understood that the outcome of the regulator’s investigation is close to being published.

Four months ago Ms Aston appeared before a Stormont committee where she refused to say whether EirGrid wrote part of its response to the watchdog investigation into whether it was sufficiently independent of EirGrid. However, she stressed that her name was on the submission and she stood over its contents.

In an email sent to SONI staff yesterday and seen by the News Letter, EirGrid chief executive Mark Foley told them: “I wish to advise you that Jo Aston has decided to leave the EirGrid group of companies to pursue new interests.”

He praised Ms Aston for having “progressively managed the relationships with a wide range of key stakeholders in Northern Ireland, including the Utility Regulator and government bodies” and said that the company would “miss the energy and commitment of such an experienced leader with deep expertise in regulation and the energy sector”.

Mr Foley said that he would “shortly announce the arrangements for the SONI MD’s office”.

SONI spokesperson Natasha Sayee said: “We are sorry to see Jo Aston depart from the company, but we wish her well in her new endeavours.

“SONI’s senior management team will continue leading the organisation in the efficient and reliable operation of the Northern Ireland electricity system, ensuring a secure supply of electricity to homes and business at the least possible cost to consumers.

“The process of recruiting a replacement for Ms Aston is underway and we will be making further announcements in due course.

“Meanwhile, SONI remains focused on delivering our strategic objective of a clean energy system for Northern Ireland, in support of the Economy Minister’s ambition to see at least 70% of Northern Ireland’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030.”

Just before Ms Aston’s arrival at SONI last year, its staff came to the brink of strike action before the company made a last-minute pay offer.

A confidential survey of staff, obtained by the News Letter, revealed an overwhelming belief that EirGrid’s takeover has been bad for electricity consumers in Northern Ireland.

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