SSE Renewables has unveiled a new leadership team and operating model as it looks to meet ambitious capacity targets in the coming years.
Under a new model effective as of 1 April 2022, the company said it would now operate under a new technology-based structure, with distinct directorates for offshore and onshore Europe.
These new directorates will have “end-to-end accountability” for the development, construction, and operation of SSE Renewables assets, it said in a statement.
Founded in 2010 via the rebranding of Airtricity, SSE Renewables is the clean energy development arm of parent utility group SSE plc.
The new structure will support its drive to double installed renewable energy capacity to 8 gigawatts (GW) by 2026 and treble capacity to over 13GW by 2031. Power output is also expected to grow fivefold to over 50TWh annually – enough to be able to power around 20 million homes each year.
To achieve this, SSE plans to invest £12.5bn over the next five years to deliver its ‘Net Zero Acceleration Programme’ and, it says, is currently building more offshore wind energy than any other company in the world, including its share of the 3.6GW Dogger Bank project and a successful bid for a ScotWind lease area.
Meanwhile, SSE Renewables’ new structure will be supported by a new ‘strategy and route to market’ directorate as well as a new business development directorate, the head of which is yet to be announced.
The former will focus on recommending where the business will operate most successfully in taking energy output to market, and the fast-growing area of power-to-X and green hydrogen.
Business development will be the company’s growth engine responsible for competitive bids and M&A activity.
In addition, sustainability and corporate affairs directorates will join the company’s eight-strong executive committee.
“At SSE Renewables we’re taking action to address the climate crisis. The world needs green energy and we’re ready to deliver it. We’re already the UK and Ireland’s clean energy champion. Now, we’re taking our expertise into selected international markets to put renewables at the forefront of global efforts to fight climate change,” said SSE Renewables managing director Stephen Wheeler.
“Our new structure will allow us to utilise our experience and expertise to continually adapt to better ways of doing things while building a culture of genuine innovation, inclusion and empowerment.
“In doing so, I’m confident SSE Renewables will capitalise on exciting growth opportunities while responding to the challenges of an ever-evolving energy landscape.”
