Ex-Shell renewables chief Brostrom reveals new job and looks back on time at oil giant

Thomas Brostrom – the senior renewables executive whose departure from Shell turned the focus on the oil giant’s energy transition strategy – has joined Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power as chief investment and development officer.

Brostrom, who was also previously a key figure at renewables giant Orsted, said the move to the Saudi power group would allow him to be part of “an amazing renewables growth journey”.

Brostrom had joined Shell less than two years earlier from Orsted to lead its renewables push in what at the time was seen as a coup appointment for the oil group, but Sawan has since the start of the year placed heavy emphasis on the group’s core hydrocarbons activities.

“We can look back on a strong platform that has been built ready for whatever growth path the future will take it on.”

He added: "It is never easy to say farewell to so many talented, hardworking and amazing colleagues and friends. I wish you all the best and it has been a real privilege, and a ton of hard work and fun, to lead Shell’s renewable power business."

Brostrom has not been the only renewables-focused executive to leave Shell and Sawan is reportedly set to address staff concerns over the group’s energy transition strategy at an event later this month.

ACWA Power is one of the most ambitious regional power groups, with about 50GW installed and big plans in green hydrogen.

The group is a partner in the vast, multi-gigawatt Neom green hydrogen project in Saudi Arabia that aims to deploy 4GW of wind, solar and batteries.

ACWA is also developing landmark projects abroad. In March, for example, it entered Kazakhstan on the back of a $1.5bn deal with the central Asian nation’s government to develop a 1GW land-based wind and energy storage development in the country.