Gordon MacDougall has been appointed to the role of managing director of BayWa r.e. UK. Image: BayWa r.e.

BayWa r.e. has appointed former RES managing director Gordon MacDougall to head up its UK projects business as the company eyes the developing market for subsidy-free projects.

As managing director of the UK division, MacDougall will have primary responsibility for the leadership and development of the business while playing ‘a key role’ in driving forward BayWa r.e.’s investment strategy in the UK.

MacDougall joins having already built up considerable experience across the renewables sector, including as managing director, Western Europe for RES UK & Ireland. He also held a senior position at ScottishPower Renewable Energy and spent three years as vice chair of Scottish Renewables.

“Attracting someone of Gordon’s calibre into the business is a great endorsement of our strategy and confirms our continued growth ambitions for our UK business,” said Katy Hogg, global co-head of wind projects for BayWa r.e.

She added that the company hopes to take advantage of “a tremendous opportunity” in the UK for growth as the market transitions towards subsidy-free low carbon projects.

Speaking about his appointment, MacDougall added: “We are in an excellent position to capitalise on the growth opportunities presented by falling capital costs for renewables and continued industry support to achieve a truly low carbon economy in the UK.

“BayWa r.e.’s reputation, company values and proven project delivery capabilities are assets that I believe will continue to support our success in this evolving marketplace, and I am excited to be on board and part of the great team that will take our business to the next level.”

To date, BayWa r.e. has brought forward over 323MW of solar projects in the UK, as well as several wind and biomass projects, and has over 1.3GW of renewables projects under management for third parties.