CleanCo names new CEO to lead renewables “growth phase”

Queensland’s publicly owned electricity generation and trading company, CleanCo, which has a mandate to build, own and operate new commercial renewable energy generation, has appointed a new CEO.

CleanCo chair Jacqui Walters said on Tuesday that Tom Metcalfe, who most recently served as president at a major US gen-tailer in Wisconsin, would take the reins on July 11, replacing interim CEO Darryl Rowell.

CleanCo is playing a key role in ramping up development of large scale renewables in Queensland, including underwriting Neoen’s 157MW Kaban wind farm south-east of Cairns.

It has also signed up to take most of the output from Neoen’s 400MW Western Downs solar farm, as well as e 70 per cent of the 180MW of power produced by the Dulacca wind farm, which is being progressed by Octopus Energy about 350km north-west of Brisbane.

The appointment of Metcalfe comes as CleanCo starts work on its first new asset – the 102.6 MW Karara Wind Farm, which is being built alongside Acciona Energy’s massive 923MW MacIntyre Wind Precinct, from which CleanCo will also take 400MW of the output.

“As CleanCo moves from establishment phase to growth phase, the Board sought a senior energy industry executive with a track record of developing new energy assets, operational excellence and strong customer focus,” Walters said in a statement.

“Tom brings 30+ years’ global experience in the energy industry, most recently as President, We energies and Wisconsin Public Service, between them owning and operating almost 8000MW of generation and serving 3 million gas and electric customers.

“Tom’s experience in developing energy generation projects, including in Queensland, building strong stakeholder relationships, and his personal passion for a thriving net-zero economy, position him well to lead CleanCo through its next growth stage.

“The Board has confidence that Tom will successfully grow our portfolio of clean assets and strengthen CleanCo as an employer of choice.”

Metcalfe says Queensland is fortunate to have abundant wind, solar and hydro resources to build on as it works to meet its 2030 target of 50 per cent renewables.

“CleanCo is ideally positioned to tap those resources while providing its customers and the State with reliable, affordable and dependable energy,” he said.

Metcalfe replaces interim CEO Darryl Rowell, who filled the role for seven months and, Walters says, helped to steer CleanCo through a challenging time in the market.

“His commitment to CleanCo and our people has been critical to CleanCo delivering on our mandate to build new renewable generation assets, supporting the establishment of the renewable energy industry more broadly and ultimately contributing to the net-zero journeys of our valued customers,” Walters said.