DP Energy appoints Chief Investment Officer

PRESS RELEASE

Leading renewables energy development firm DP Energy has appointed Andrew Smith to the post of Chief Investment Officer.  Currently Head of the Renewable Energy Investment Fund (REIF) at the Scottish Investment Bank, Mr Smith joins DP Energy later this month.

His role will include work on the funding round for DP Energy’s FORCE Tidal projects in Nova Scotia and the financing of the company’s flagship Australia project, the 375MW hybrid wind/solar PV development at Port Augusta in South Australia, as well as the wider DP development portfolio.

DP Energy CEO Simon De Pietro says Mr Smith brings new skills to the management team at DP Energy with his CIO responsibilities.

“Andrew brings a wealth of experience in the legal and finance sectors, including the lead role in the public sector investment in the flagship MeyGen tidal project.

“I have enjoyed sharing the platform with Andrew at a number of industry events in recent years and worked with him on the investment round in ScotRenewables Tidal Power in 2015.

“We share a common vision for tidal energy and the wider renewables sector, and his deal-making skills and wider business experience will be an invaluable asset to DP Energy as we move forward,” says Mr DE Pietro.

Before joining Scottish Enterprise in June 2013, Mr Smith was a private sector lawyer for 30 years. He was appointed Renewables Partner at Young and Partners business law firm in July 2011 and, during that tenure, was also appointed Head of the Energy Practice Group of the Alliuris International network.

Andrew Smith says he is ready for a new challenge in the renewables sector.
“Heading up the REIF team for the last three years has been a pleasure,” he says. “DP Energy’s range of renewables projects and interests across a number of jurisdictions, combined with Simon and Maureen de Pietro’s vision and their excellent team make for an exciting prospect for me.

“I firmly believe that, together, we can materially contribute to delivering meaningful and profitable renewables projects across the world. There are opportunities for a range of funding partners to join us in that endeavour. I look forward to identifying and working with them.”