Former Ørsted wind power leader joins Green Investment Group

The former chief executive of Ørsted Wind Power has joined Green Investment Group as Chairman of Wind Energy to support global wind strategy.

Macquarie-owned Green Investment Group (GIG) said Mr Leupold will use his newly created position to support the development and implementation of GIG’s global strategy for onshore and offshore wind.

Mr Leupold brings to the role more than 20 years of experience in the energy sector. In his most recent position as chief executive of Ørsted Wind Power, he led the organisation to its prominent position as a leading developer and owner of offshore wind assets.

Under his tenure, Ørsted delivered the industry’s first zero-subsidy offshore windfarm bids in 2017’s ground-breaking German auction. Prior to working for Ørsted, Mr Leupold held roles at ABB and McKinsey & Company specialising in utilities and industrials.

“In his new role helping to shape GIG’s global wind strategy, Mr Leupold will support the continued expansion of GIG’s global footprint and will bring his senior industrial background to complement GIG’s inhouse technical capability to support the organisation’s growing development activity,” GIG said.

To date, GIG has invested in 14 offshore wind projects totalling over 4.5 GW of capacity, taking a role in emerging offshore wind markets and a leading presence in European markets.

Mr Leupold said, “Wind is undoubtedly now a mainstream energy source, but the industry continues to evolve rapidly, presenting huge opportunities for those who can anticipate and shape the future of the ever-changing market.”

Mr Leupold resigned from Ørsted in January 2018 after commuting between his home in Switzerland and Ørsted’s offices in Copenhagen and London for two years. He left the company on 28 February 2018.