Dan McGrail, the current Chief Executive of RenewableUK, has been appointed as the interim Chief Executive Officer of Great British Energy (GBE), the UK government’s new publicly-owned clean energy company.
This appointment marks a significant step in the government’s Plan for Change and its mission to establish Britain as a clean energy superpower.
GBE, owned by and for the British people, aims to invest in clean energy projects across the UK, fostering job creation and economic growth.
McGrail, who brings a wealth of experience from his current role at RenewableUK and previous positions as CEO of Siemens Engines and Managing Director of Siemens Power Generation, is well-positioned to lead this ambitious initiative.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband expressed his enthusiasm for the appointment, stating: “With the appointment of Dan McGrail as interim CEO we now have a fantastic team in place to lead Great British Energy and start delivering on our Plan for Change.
“Great British Energy is at the heart of our clean power mission, and will support thousands of well-paid jobs, drive growth and investment into our communities and deliver energy security for the British people.”
McGrail himself commented on his new role: “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 achieve its clean power targets.”
The appointment follows the recent addition of five non-executive directors to GBE’s start-up board, chaired by Juergen Maier.
This diverse team brings expertise in various sectors, including workplace rights, supply chain development, and clean energy investment.
McGrail will be based at GBE’s headquarters in Aberdeen, Scotland, and will commence his six-month contract in March. The search for a permanent CEO is set to begin shortly.
The government has already taken several steps to support GBE’s mission, including partnering with The Crown Estate to boost clean energy investment and collaborating with the Scottish Government on clean energy supply chains.
Additionally, the Great British Energy Bill is currently progressing through Parliament to provide the company with the necessary powers to deliver on its objectives swiftly.
The development of Great British Energy is set to play a transformative role in the UK’s journey toward achieving its clean power goals by 2030. B
y focusing on increasing domestic clean energy production, the initiative aims to establish a more sustainable and cost-effective energy system, benefiting both households and businesses across the nation.
