Great British Energy (GB Energy), the UK’s state-owned clean energy company, has appointed Dan McGrail as its permanent Chief Executive Officer, after several months as interim CEO, on secondment fromRenewableUK. The move comes as the government accelerates its plans to make Britain a “clean energy superpower” and expand public ownership in the energy sector.
GB Energy was established in 2025 to invest in, develop, and own clean power projects across the UK. Headquartered in Aberdeen and funded in part by a windfall tax on oil and gas companies, its mission is to deliver affordable, secure, and sustainable energy for the British public. The company is tasked with supporting the government’s “Plan for Change” by investing in renewables such as wind, solar, and nuclear, and by returning profits to the public sector.
Dan McGrail will now lead GB Energy on a permanent basis. McGrail brings experience from both the private and public renewable sectors, including a stint as CEO of Siemens Engines.
He commented:
“It is a privilege to take on the CEO role permanently and lead Great British Energy from our Aberdeen HQ at such a pivotal moment. We are already delivering for British people, with schools and hospitals set to benefit from cheaper energy bills. We will now focus on scaling up as Britain’s publicly owned energy company, making strategic investments that drive forward the government’s clean power mission and give people a stake in clean energy.”
Stuart Payne, North Sea Transition Authority Chief Executive, commented:
“In his interim CEO period, he has already shown passion and determination to drive the transition and work collaboratively with others. So his permanent appointment is welcome news. Here at the NSTA we will continue to offer support to GB Energy and seek to work closely with them as they continue to grow and help realise our shared goals of supporting energy security and accelerating the transition.”
GB Energy’s creation has already sparked much political debate, with Opposition Parties arguing that public ownership could lead to higher energy bills, branding the company “Giant Bills Energy.” The Conservative Party and Democratic Unionist Party voted against its establishment, citing concerns over state intervention and costs.
Supply chain scrutiny has been a focus, with amendments to the founding legislation debated in Parliament to address modern slavery and ensure ethical sourcing for renewable energy projects.
Regional concerns have arisen, particularly in Scotland, where the SNP warned that the Aberdeen headquarters could “risk 100,000 jobs” in the oil and gas sector, against Labour’s own claims that it would create new jobs in Aberdeen.
Supporters, including environmental groups and trade unions, have welcomed GB Energy as a step toward energy security, climate action, and public benefit.
Energy Secretary Ed Milliband commented: “Dan has been a visionary leader as Great British Energy’s interim CEO, and will bring world-class private sector experience to our publicly-owned clean power company. Great British Energy is at the heart of our clean power mission and Plan for Change and is investing in clean energy supply chains to create manufacturing jobs here in Britain.”
