Texas, US-based solar and storage independent power producer (IPP) Urban Grid has brought on board Eivind Osterhus as the new chief financial officer (CFO) and Erica Engle as its chief commercial officer (CCO). 

Osterhus has moved to the company from the energy technology firm Baker Hughes, where he was employed for over 20 years. He served in various leadership roles in finance and operations across the company’s global operations. 

Engle too comes to the IPP with more than 20 years of experience in energy trading and origination. Most recently, Engle worked as the head of structured origination at AES Clean Energy where her focus was developing the company in the corporate power purchase agreements (PPA) segment. 

“This is an exciting time to join Urban Grid as they expand their presence as an owner-operator of renewable assets,” said Engle. “I look forward to working with the team to commercialize the solar and storage portfolio, closely partnering with our customers to continue accelerating towards a carbon-free future.” 

The IPP claims to be developing a growing portfolio of over 12 GW of solar PV and 7 GW of co-located and stand-alone energy storage. Its current under contract and under construction portfolio stands at 940 MW. 

Urban Grid was acquired by Canada-headquartered global asset manager Brookfield Renewable for $650 million in January 2022, to operate as its portfolio company. 

Since the Brookfield acquisition, several leadership changes have been made at the company including the appointment of current CEO Peter Candelaria. An ex-Silicon Ranch senior executive, he took over from Founder and CEO Frank DePew in 2022 while the latter transitioned to the chairman position. 

In December 2023, it brought in the former VP of Development for EDF Renewables North America Matt McCluskey as its chief development officer (CDO).