Lars O Grönstedt Appointed Senior Management Advisor to Nord Stream
Jan. 15, 2009 | Stockholm | Nord Stream AG today announces the appointment of Lars O Grönstedt as Senior Management Advisor. Nord Stream, the consortium responsible for construction and operating of the proposed natural gas pipeline from Russia to the EU through the Baltic Sea, has entered a new more intensive phase of discussions with the governments, stakeholders and public of Sweden and the four other countries whose exclusive economic zones are affected.
Lars O Grönstedt has a background as CEO and Chairman of the Board of Svenska Handelsbanken, and is also currently Chairman of Nordiska Museet, Vice Chairman of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce and sits on different boards, including Swedish Television and The Swedish National Debt Office. He will oversee Nord Stream’s representations and communications in Sweden. The extensive environmental impact studies which Nord Stream has conducted in the Baltic Sea as well as dialogues in Sweden and other Baltic Sea countries have been used by the consortium for detailed planning of the proposed pipeline.
Commenting on Lars O Grönstedt’s appointment, Nord Stream Managing Director Matthias Warnig says: “The Management of Nord Stream will benefit from Lars O Grönstedt’s extensive experience in Swedish and international business. His profound knowledge as a banker and business leader will also provide a very valuable contribution to Nord Stream in the next phases of the project.”
Other members of Nord Stream’s team for Sweden include Nicklas Andersson, who joined the company last year as Task Force Manager for Sweden, and Dan Svanell, who joined as Swedish representative during the preparatory phases of the public consultations. Dan Svanell will continue as Nord Stream’s advisor in public affairs matters.
The Swedish authorities are currently considering the consortium’s formal application for a national permit and the Swedish Government is also participating in the complex inter-governmental consultations under the UN Espoo Convention, which includes the nine Baltic governments in an exchange of information about any potential trans-boundary environmental impacts of the project.
Additional routes like the Nord Stream pipeline will be imperative if Europe is to be able to meet its increased demand for natural gas and provide the EU with energy security in the coming decades, when demand increases and the EU's own resources decline.
