The clean energy focused state-owned electricity utility CleanCo in Australia's Queensland has announced Tom Metcalfe, who served as the president of US based We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service in his last job, to join as its new CEO from July 11, 2022.
"The CleanCo Board selected Tom for his track record and his proven leadership in leveraging the benefits which renewable energy has to offer. 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," stated CleanCo management.
Metcalfe believes the utility can use the state's abundant wind, solar and hydro resources to provide reliable, affordable and dependable energy.
CleanCo was set up to generate electricity from flexible low-emissions generation assets with a view to bring down electricity prices, and integrate renewables while maintaining reliability. To support Queensland's clean energy transition, the utility is mandated to build, own and operate new renewable energy generation of 1.4 GW by 2025, as well as invest in new renewable energy projects built by 3rd parties.
Metcalfe will take over from Interim CEO Darryl Rowell who served in the position for the last 7 months.
Back in August 2019, the Queensland government had announced ex-Origin Energy senior executive Dr Maia Schweizer as CleanCo's 1st permanent CEO (see Dr Maia Schweizer CleanCo's First Permanent CEO).