The UK government has appointed RenewableUK’s chief executive Dan McGrail as interim CEO of the new Great British Energy company.
Starting in March and working over a six-month period at the Aberdeen headquarters, McGrail will help drive forward the government’s Plan for Change and its clean energy superpower mission.
He will draw on his experience in the industry to help scale up the new company rapidly, so it can start delivering as quickly as possible.
Renewable UK’s executive director of offshore wind Jane Cooper will be promoted to deputy CEO of RenewableUK, taking on the role of leading the organisation over this period.
During his time at RenewableUK, McGrail has overseen the growth of the organisation to over 500 member companies.
RenewableUK said the level of engagement by members with the association is consistently high, and this will remain a priority for the leadership team.
Its existing programmes of events and policy work will remain in place, with a focus on supporting the development of wind energy, building up new supply chains, grid infrastructure, storage, green hydrogen and system flexibility.
McGrail said: “Homegrown, affordable clean power has never been more important and it’s a privilege to take up the role of interim CEO of Great British Energy at such a pivotal moment.
“Together with the talented leadership team, I’m excited to hit the ground running to scale up the company and work with industry to unleash billions of investment in clean energy, helping to grow new industries at scale with job opportunities for hundreds of thousands of people, as well as helping the Government to achieve its clean power targets.”
Chair of RenewableUK’s Board of Directors Paul Cooley, director of offshore wind at SSE Renewables, said: “I am delighted to support Dan in taking on the role of interim CEO.
“He has the right combination of leadership skills and energy industry experience to take Great British Energy to its next stage of maturity and he has been an important driving force throughout his career in the sector.
“He has transformed RenewableUK into a leading voice in the industry and his appointment is a great vote of confidence in the work of the organisation.
“I am sure that he will establish a strategy at Great British Energy which enables our country to deliver on the amazing opportunities for economic growth and job creation which the clean power transition offers.”
Jane Cooper joined RenewableUK in 2022 after serving as the director of regulatory and external affairs at Orsted.
She has a strong background in the renewable energy sector, and has worked closely on the establishment of many landmark collaborative partnerships between industry and government, including the Offshore Wind Sector Deal and the Offshore Wind Growth Partnership.
Cooper said: “I’m pleased to take over the leadership of a fantastic team at RenewableUK, who I’ve been working with closely for many years.
“We have a clear understanding of our forward work programme, both with members and with Government, so over this interim period we will be, as is so often said in this sector, in delivery mode.
“I wish Dan well in his exciting new role for the next six months.”