RTO Insider reports on Gordon van Welie's plans to retire at the end of this year. Several industry experts, including United's Alex Lawton, thanked van Welie for his service and congratulated his replacement Dr. Vamsi Chadalavada (ISO-NE's COO), highlighting his commitment to lowering energy costs, improving energy efficiency, and modernizing the region's grid.
ISO-NE CEO Gordon van Welie has announced plans to step down at the end of 2025. He will be replaced by longtime ISO-NE COO Vamsi Chadalavada.
“I have been fortunate to spend 25 wonderful years at the ISO,” van Welie said in a statement. “I’m extremely proud of what we’ve accomplished, from a startup organization to a sophisticated company with world-class people, systems and processes that is well positioned to help the region navigate an increasingly complex energy environment.”
Van Welie is by far the longest-serving CEO of any RTO or ISO, having led ISO-NE for most of its history. He has overseen ISO-NE’s transition to becoming an RTO, the launch of its capacity market, the shift in the region’s generation mix from coal and oil toward natural gas, and multiple overhauls of its wholesale electricity markets.
More recently, ISO-NE has embarked on a series of major changes to its capacity market and is running the first-ever longer-term transmission planning (LTTP) procurement, intended to reduce transmission constraints between northern Maine and southern New England. (See ISO-NE Discusses Details of New Prompt Capacity Market and ISO-NE Releases Longer-term Transmission Planning RFP.)
In the retirement announcement, van Welie said the region’s supply and demand outlook should remain “relatively stable through the next several years.” The ongoing overhaul of the capacity market and anticipated longer-term changes in the region’s resource mix and load profile make this “an appropriate time to step aside and allow new leadership to steer the path forward.”
Cheryl LaFleur, chair of the ISO-NE Board of Directors, applauded van Welie on his time with the RTO and said he has “led the ISO through significant transformation, building a strong team of professionals who keep the lights on and run the markets for our region.”
“I know Gordon will be missed greatly at the ISO and across the New England region,” LaFleur added.
“Gordon van Welie is an institution,” said Dan Dolan, president of the New England Power Generators Association. “Gordon has been a thoughtful, innovative and tireless leader for the region. His candor and willingness to engage in difficult, but necessary, conversations is a testament to his commitment to doing what is right for New England.”
Chadalavada, who is slated to take over for van Welie at the beginning of 2026, has worked for ISO-NE since 2004 and has served as COO since 2008. As the RTO’s second in command, he oversees the operation of the power system and market operations, along with system planning. Like van Welie, Chadalavada worked as a vice president for Siemens Power Transmission and Distribution before joining ISO-NE.
“We are very fortunate to have someone with Vamsi’s leadership, experience and qualifications ready to take on the role,” LaFleur said. “His appointment demonstrates our strong confidence in his ability to lead the organization through the grid transition ahead.”
Reacting to the news, ISO-NE stakeholders commended van Welie on his tenure and retirement and emphasized the major role he has played in ISO-NE’s evolution. Industry members also praised the selection of Chadalavada as the next CEO, saying he’s well prepared to take the reins.
“NEPOOL would like to congratulate Gordon on the announcement of his upcoming retirement,” NEPOOL Chair Sarah Bresolin said. “During his tenure, NEPOOL has benefited from his intellect and dedicated service. Gordon leaves the region in a strong position.” Bresolin applauded Chadalavada’s appointment, which she said leaves the region “in very good hands.”
Alex Lawton of Advanced Energy United said Chadalavada “is the right person for the job, and we are confident he will work diligently and collaboratively with stakeholders and the New England states to navigate the evolution of our grid.”
Joe LaRusso of the Acadia Center said van Welie’s retirement comes at a “pivotal moment” for ISO-NE, with power demand likely to grow after a long period of stability, intermittent renewables set to come online, and increasing conflicts between state and federal energy policy.
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