Energy Minister Eli Cohen Blocks Noga CEO Appointment Over Audit Demands
Energy Minister Eli Cohen is blocking the appointment of Noga's CEO Gilad Bar Adon, demanding an external probe despite regulatory clearance, leaving the grid manager without a chief executive for two years.
Energy Minister Eli Cohen continues to withhold his signature from the appointment of Gilad Bar Adon as CEO of Noga, despite the Government Companies Authority confirming that the selection process was flawless and the candidate is fully qualified. A day after the authority's notification, Cohen sent a response letter to Roy Kahlon, head of the Government Companies Authority, arguing that the explanation was inadequate and that significant flaws marred the recruitment process.
Cohen is unprecedentedly demanding the appointment of an external auditor to thoroughly review the integrity of the procedure. He reiterated Noga's critical importance to the national energy sector and insisted that the incoming chief executive must possess high professional compatibility, relevant experience, and deep familiarity with the electricity market. Meanwhile, Kahlon maintained that professional and legal teams thoroughly reviewed all protocols, procedures, and decisions, concluding that there are no grounds to question the process or the candidate's suitability, prioritizing leadership over specific electricity sector experience. As the stalemate persists, Noga, the state-owned company managing the electricity grid, has been operating without a permanent CEO for two years.
