Global renewable energy giant Orsted announced a raft of management changes including the departure of deputy CEO Martin Neubert as it unveiled a major organisational shake-up that will see its offshore and onshore wind businesses integrated into regionally focused operations.
Neubert, who has been with the Danish group for almost 15 years, will by the end of October leave his role as chief commercial officer and number-two to CEO Mads Nipper, Orsted said as it revealed a new corporate structure that eliminates the current commercial and onshore business areas.
Orsted will instead be based around three regions encompassing its offshore and onshore businesses; Europe, led by regional CEO Rasmus Errboe; Americas, with David Hardy as its CEO; and Asia-Pacific led by regional president Per Mejnert Kristensen.
The fast-emerging Orsted Power-to-X operation will continue as a global business area led by Olivia Breese. Current Orsted Onshore boss Neil O’Donovan will take up a new role as head of strategy, portfolio & partnerships.
Nipper said: “We see unprecedented political ambitions and market possibilities within renewables. But it’s also becoming an increasingly complex environment to operate in, with increasingly diversified local requirements, new needs and demands from customers, a shift towards integrated energy systems, and not least fierce competition.
“That’s why we’re moving even closer to our markets and our customers and integrating our offshore and onshore renewables organisations.”
The scope of regional challenges in the offshore wind sector has been increasingly evident over the last few years, with new nations regularly entering the market and developers grappling with issues as diverse as the Jones Act in US vessels and multiple local content requirements in Asia.
Only this week Orsted said it would sit out the next round of auctions in Taiwan – where it has been the market pioneer – partly because of the structure of the tender there, while the Inflation Reduction Act is expected to unlock massive new opportunities in the US.
Outgoing deputy CEO Neubert said: “It’s been a privilege and a fantastic journey to be part of Orsted's very successful transformation from a Danish utility predominantly based on fossil fuels to a global leader in green energy,” before hailing the promotion of “great internal talent” into new roles.
Neubert added: “I’ve naturally concluded that this is the right time for me to step down and turn my focus and time towards exploring new, exciting challenges for the next level of my career outside of Orsted.”
Nipper said of his departing deputy: “I fully understand and respect Martin’s choice to use this opportunity to take the next step in his impressive career. Over the past 15 years, Martin has played a key role in transforming Orsted and positioning us as the global leader in offshore wind.”
Americas ambition
Newly-announced Americas CEO Hardy, currently CEO of Orsted North America, said: “On the heels of the Inflation Reduction Act, the US is poised to accelerate its renewable energy ambitions, ranging from offshore wind energy and land-based assets to green hydrogen and e-fuels.
“The combination of our existing portfolio and future opportunities positions us to be one of the largest clean energy investors in the US, creating jobs, economic opportunity and new infrastructure to position America as a leading clean energy hub to the world.”
Orsted said it is “monitoring the Americas region outside the United States, including Canada, Mexico and South America, as these markets continue to mature and develop opportunities across clean energy technologies.”
All the changes take effect from 1 November this year.
Note: update adds extra quotes from Orsted Americas
