Twiggy poaches state’s clean energy guru from beneath our noses
The Government has lost another chief of its energy generation companies after CleanCo’s Maia Schweizer was poached by Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest.
Maia Schweizer has revealed the hurdles ahead of Queensland as it strives to reach net-zero emissions targets.
The move was announced quietly yesterday afternoon and follows the departure of Richard van Breda from Stanwell, a job that has yet to be filled.
Schweizer will take up a senior leadership role with Fortescue Future Industries, the company Forrest created to enter the renewable energy and hydrogen sector.
Schweizer has walked a different path to other generator CEOs, often spelling out the challenges and opportunities of renewable energy and under her control CleanCo had signed up for more than 1000Mw of clean energy.
CleanCo said its chair Jacqui Walters would assist with CEO responsibilities until a replacement for Schweizer was found.
“The Queensland Government has a clear target to achieve 50 per cent renewables by 2030 and CleanCo will continue to play a key role in executing the strategy to achieve this target,” the company said in its announcement last night.
“Over the past two years, CleanCo has doubled its portfolio under management with 1GW (gigawatt) of new renewable projects identified, contracted and due to come online by 2025, including the 103MW Karara Wind Farm which will be owned and operated by CleanCo.
“We have commenced planning to evaluate options for the Swanbank future energy hydrogen precinct, and signed an agreement to join Sumitomo Corporation and its partners on the development of a hydrogen industry in Gladstone.
“As we work to develop Queensland’s renewables industry, our organisation will continue to be led by our Board and Executive Leadership Team ensuring continuity across the organisation and the delivery of CleanCo’s growth strategy.”