Gareth is Head of Profession – Engineering and Technical Adviser to the Distribution Directorate at Ofgem, the gas and electricity regulator for Great Britain. He provides a focal point for Ofgem’s engineers and has responsibility for providing technical advice to the Distribution Directorate and more widely across Ofgem.
Gareth joined Ofgem in 2002. He has over 35 years experience in the UK electricity supply industry. During his career he has worked in transmission, distribution, generation and the development of electricity storage. Gareth was a member of the management team that launched National Power’s successful cogeneration business and during this period worked closely with the CHPA to help promote cogeneration and address market barriers.
Gareth’s role at Ofgem is focussed on the challenges of developing distribution networks. He was responsible for the development of the Innovation Funding Incentive and the Registered Power Zone schemes. He has also played an active role in the European SmartGrids Technology Platform and joint-chaired the DECC/Ofgem smart grids project. He is now focusing on the regulatory challenges of smart grids in the UK and Europe.
He is a Chartered Engineer and a member of the IET. He is a member of the IET’s Energy Policy Panel and the High Level Group for EPSRC’s Supergen programme.