New SSE Thermal managing director announced

SSE (LON: SSE) has announced that Catherine Raw will join the energy company as managing director of SSE Thermal.

She will be responsible for the strategy, performance and development of the company’s flexible power generation and energy storage activities.

Ms Raw joins SSE Thermal with extensive operational and commercial experience, having served as both chief operating officer for North America and chief financial officer for Barrick Gold, an international metals and mining firm.

© Supplied by SSE

Prior to that, she was a managing director and fund manager at BlackRock, the world’s largest fund management company.

Ms Raw holds an MA in Natural Sciences from Downing College, Cambridge University, an MSc in Mineral Project Appraisal from Imperial College London and is a CFA charterholder.

She will joining the company in April, replacing Stephen Wheeler after he moved across to lead SSE Renewables earlier this year.

Ms Raw said: “I’m proud to be joining a business right at the heart of the net zero transition, with clear and ambitious plans to invest in the low-carbon infrastructure needed to create a sustainable energy future. SSE Thermal is pioneering the technologies needed to back up renewable generation and providing the flexibility required for a stable and enduring transition to our net zero goals. I’m excited to get to work on bringing these world-leading projects to life in the years ahead.”

© Supplied by SSE Thermal

As part of SSE’s net zero acceleration programme, SSE Thermal is focused on decarbonising its power generation and energy storage activities using carbon capture and storage (CCS) and hydrogen technologies.

The company operates the Peterhead Power Station, Aberdeenshire – it is hoping to mitigate the facility’s emissions using the nearby Acorn project.

Alongside Equinor, SSE Thermal is also advancing plans for a CCS equipped power station in Keadby.

© Supplied by SSE Thermal

The projects were recently submitted into the UK Government’s cluster sequencing competition.

Under its net zero plan, SSE has pledged to invest £12.5 billion in low-carbon infrastructure by 2026.

SSE board member and group energy and commercial director Martin Pibworth said: “It’s a pivotal time for SSE Thermal as we look to decarbonise our flexible generation and energy storage assets, and Catherine’s extensive commercial and operational experience make her an ideal fit to lead the business through this journey. I’m looking forward to working with Catherine to turn our carbon capture and hydrogen projects into a reality, driving the transition to net zero while consistently creating value for shareholders and society.”