ERCOT and NESO CEOs to Kick-off Third Annual ERCOT Innovation Summit

March 31, 2026, in Round Rock, Texas

(Austin, TX) – The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc. (ERCOT) today announced that ERCOT President and CEO Pablo Vegas will join Fintan Slye, CEO of Great Britain’s National Energy System Operator (NESO), in an opening panel to discuss global grid leadership.

Mr. Slye leads the publicly owned NESO, which handles the real-time operation of Great Britain's (GB) electricity system and is responsible for the strategic planning of the nation’s energy systems and markets. Under Mr. Slye’s leadership, NESO maintains a strong focus on sustainability, affordability, and security. He previously served as Executive Director of Great Britain’s Electricity System Operator (ESO) and as CEO of the EirGrid Group, the electricity transmission system operator for Ireland.

‘’NESO is at the heart of Great Britain’s energy system, and innovation is at the heart of everything we do,” Mr. Slye said. “Be it exploring the huge potential of data and energy flexibility, finding new ways to manage our grid, or world-first plans for secure, affordable, and sustainable energy out to 2050. At NESO we are always looking to use innovation to help drive value for consumers and improve security of supply. So, it’s brilliant and timely to be heading to the ERCOT Innovation Summit in March as part of a wider effort to collaborate with U.S. industry peers on learnings and solutions — from grid upgrades to new data center demand — that can benefit our energy system here in Great Britain.’’

ERCOT’s Innovation Summit will bring together energy industry stakeholders and thought leaders to share technological advancements and innovative solutions to advance grid transformation in Texas and across the country.

“Collaboration with our industry peers in the U.S. and across the globe is essential as we work toward building more resilient and intelligent solutions for rapidly evolving grids,” said ERCOT President and CEO Pablo Vegas. “I’m excited to open this Summit by engaging in a dynamic discussion with Mr. Slye on the challenges and opportunities facing Texas, Great Britain, and power systems worldwide.”

The 2026 Innovation Summit will be held on March 31 at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Round Rock, Texas.

The Summit is free to attend and open to stakeholders in the energy research and innovation ecosystems, such as Market Participants, vendors, Independent System Operators (ISOs), Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs), academia, and research labs who are interested in topics vital to helping ISOs meet their missions of providing reliable and affordable electricity.

Visit the event website for the latest schedule, list of speakers, and to register for in‑person or virtual attendance. 

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