Samuel Leupold Joins Green Investment Group as Chairman of Wind Energy

Samuel Leupold, former CEO of Ørsted Wind Power, joins GIG as Chairman of Wind Energy.

Mr Leupold will support GIG’s global strategy for onshore and offshore wind.

Macquarie’s Green Investment Group (GIG) today announces the appointment of Samuel Leupold as Chairman of Wind Energy. In this newly created position, Mr Leupold will support the development and implementation of GIG’s global strategy for onshore and offshore wind.

Mr Leupold brings to the role over 20 years of professional experience in the energy sector. In his most recent position as CEO 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 wind farm bids in 2017’s ground-breaking German auction. Prior to 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 in-house technical capability to support the organisation’s growing development activity.

GIG is a leading global green investor and one of the world’s largest teams of specialist green investors, managing, and investing in projects from development to operation across four continents. As investors increasingly show an appetite for low-carbon assets, GIG is responding by moving earlier into the project lifecycle. By investing globally in development projects, platforms and businesses, GIG is working to deliver a sustainable pipeline of high-quality investment opportunities.

GIG is a leading sponsor of both offshore and onshore wind projects. In offshore wind, GIG has invested in 14 projects totalling over 4.5GW of capacity, taking a pioneering role in emerging offshore wind markets and a leading presence in European markets. In onshore wind, GIG has played a sponsor role on more than 1GW of PPA and hedge backed projects across Europe and North America in the last two years, supporting the growing transition to subsidy-free renewables.

"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. GIG’s ability to innovate and create cutting edge financial solutions, sets it apart in its ability to thrive in this environment and I’m very excited to be joining their world class team."

Samuel Leupold
Chairman of Wind Energy, GIG

"Samuel has been a pivotal figure in the rapid development of the offshore wind industry. We are delighted he is bringing that pioneering outlook and his deep understanding of the construction and industrial aspects of wind power to join GIG in our mission to accelerate the transition to a green global economy."

Mark Dooley
Global Head of GIG