Equinor‘s renewable energy chief Pål Eitrheim will become the Nordic manager for the renewable giant statkraft.
Eitrheim will assume the role by June 2025 at the latest.
– This is a entirely un-dramatic departure, and it comes after a very orderly process. I have been with Equinor for 26 years and I don’t think I’ve had a dull day. This is a fitting time for me to try something new, Eitrheim told E24.
He has led Equinor’s renewable business through some turbulent years and
– I have had an exciting job, and now I have the opportunity to try another exciting job.Statkraft’s operations are critically important for people,businesses,and communities throughout Norway and the Nordics,he said.
– And for someone who grew up in odda with Norwegian hydropower, this is an exciting opportunity, Eitrheim added.
Eitrheim has been the group director and led Equinor’s renewable energy operations since August 2018 and has worked with Equinor since 1998.
– Pål will, among other things, be responsible for Norwegian hydropower, the backbone of Statkraft. Our hydropower plants account for a third of Norwegian power production, and we are now in the process of further developing them for the future.
Eitrheim has also worked in Azerbaijan and Washington D.C. for Equinor. the oil and gas producer is majority-owned by the Norwegian state, while Statkraft is a wholly state-owned company.
– Absolutely not. But one of the exciting aspects is that I get to apply my knowledge of energy from Equinor both in Norway and in three countries internationally. I see this as an exciting opportunity to utilize my expertise while also building new competencies, Eitrheim stated.
– We will have to come back to that. this is a special and bittersweet day, and I need time to process what I have been part of for 26 years. We will get back to what I will do at Statkraft later, I will be starting in the middle of next year.
jens Økland into the Equinor role
Jens Økland has been appointed as acting group director for renewables at Equinor from December 6, thus succeeding Eitrheim. Equinor announced this in a statement.
– I want to thank Jens for taking on the responsibility on short notice, at a time of record-high activity levels in renewables. He is a very experienced leader who knows the task, the organization, and the company well, says Equinor CEO Anders Opedal.
Equinor is currently involved in the growth of six gigawatts of renewable capacity. This includes the british offshore wind projects Doggerbank A, B, and C, Polish Baltyk I and II, and one of the largest projects in the USA, Empire Wind.
– this means we will install 431 offshore wind turbines and six offshore transformer platforms, and establish three operations and maintenance bases off Newcastle, New York, and northern Poland by the Baltic Sea,
Equinor has also acquired stakes in solar power producer Scatec and offshore wind developer Ørsted, and purchased five platform companies, three in solar and wind energy and two in batteries.
– Pål has led the development of a solid organization, a strong renewable portfolio, and contributed to shaping Equinor’s strategy for the energy transition. I congratulate Pål on this new exciting opportunity and wish him good luck, says Opedal.
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– Highly experienced
The nordic business area at Statkraft, which Eitrheim will now take over, is involved in project development, ownership, and operation of 158 wholly or partially-owned power plants in Norway and Sweden.
It is also responsible for Statkraft’s ownership in companies such as Skagerak Energi,Eviny,and Å Energi. Production in this business area was over 53 terawatt-hours (TWh) of renewable power in 2023.
Eitrheim will succeed Dag Smedbold, who has been the acting group director since Birgitte Ringstad Vartdal was appointed CEO of Statkraft earlier this year. She took over from longtime CEO Christian Rynning-Tønnesen.
– Pål is a highly experienced and respected top leader who, in addition to his commercial and business approach, is also very concerned about safety and people, says Vartdal.
Sustainability initiatives and the transition to renewable energy are critical focal points for businesses and communities across Norway and the Nordics. Pål Eitrheim, who has been instrumental in leading equinor’s renewable energy operations since August 2018, sees his new role at Statkraft as an exciting possibility to leverage his extensive experience in energy, particularly given his roots in Odda, known for it’s hydropower legacy.
as he transitions to Statkraft, which is wholly owned by the Norwegian state, Eitrheim will be tasked with overseeing the company’s hydropower operations, an essential component that contributes significantly to Norway’s power production. Statkraft’s hydropower plants are responsible for about one-third of the country’s energy production and are currently undergoing enhancements to ensure they meet future energy demands.
Eitrheim’s extensive career at Equinor, encompassing roles in Azerbaijan and washington D.C., has equipped him with the knowledge and skills to manage energy projects not only in Norway but also in international markets. He emphasizes the chance to apply his expertise while fostering new competencies at Statkraft, although he acknowledges the bittersweet nature of leaving Equinor after 26 years.
Upon his departure, Jens Økland has been appointed the acting group director for renewables at Equinor, stepping in during a period of significant activity in renewable energy development. equinor is currently advancing multiple wind and solar projects,aiming to significantly expand its renewable capacity.
Under Eitrheim’s leadership,Statkraft will oversee a substantial Nordic business area that manages 158 power plants in Norway and Sweden,generating over 53 terawatt-hours of renewable energy in 2023. This transition marks a critical juncture for both Equinor and Statkraft, as they navigate the complexities of the energy transition and strive for enduring growth in the renewable sector.
