Dan McGrail named permanent CEO as Great British Energy secures £1 billion for clean power expansion
Dan McGrail has been officially appointed as the permanent Chief Executive Officer of Great British Energy, the UK's publicly owned clean power company, following a successful interim period since March 2025. Based in Aberdeen, Scotland, McGrail transitioned from his position as Chief Executive of RenewableUK to lead Great British Energy amid a pivotal phase in Britain's clean energy transition. The UK government lauded his appointment as a significant boost, noting his world-class private sector experience, including leadership at Siemens Engines, will be crucial in driving the company’s ambitious clean power mission.
Under McGrail’s interim leadership, Great British Energy rapidly established itself, securing a landmark £1 billion investment targeting the development of clean energy supply chains. This funding supports critical infrastructure such as electric cables and floating offshore wind platforms, key components in underpinning Britain’s clean energy revolution. The initiative is part of the government’s wider Plan for Change, aimed at ensuring that the green energy transition simultaneously delivers manufacturing jobs and economic growth within the UK, especially in regions like Teesside, Scotland, South Wales, and East Anglia. The investment includes £300 million directly from Great British Energy, paired with contributions from industry partners and The Crown Estate, supporting the ‘Build it in Britain’ strategy to revitalise local industrial capabilities.
McGrail emphasised the importance of Great British Energy’s role in delivering tangible benefits to British communities. Among the company’s initial projects is the installation of solar panels in 200 schools and 200 hospitals, which is expected to reduce energy costs for these public institutions. Savings from these efficiencies are intended to be reinvested into education and healthcare services, underlining the societal impact of the company’s clean energy transition. “We are already delivering for British people, with schools and hospitals set to benefit from cheaper energy bills,” McGrail said in his statement, also reinforcing the company’s commitment to scaling its operations and making strategic investments that give the public a greater stake in clean energy.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband praised McGrail’s visionary leadership and experience, expressing enthusiasm about the potential for Great British Energy to drive growth and job creation across the UK. Miliband highlighted the company’s central role in achieving the government’s clean power ambition and fostering local manufacturing sectors. Meanwhile, RenewableUK’s Deputy Chief Executive Jane Cooper expressed gratitude for McGrail’s leadership, acknowledging his instrumental role in successfully setting up Great British Energy while also noting the organisation faces the task of appointing new leadership following his departure.
The governance of Great British Energy has also been strengthened with the appointment of five non-executive directors to its start-up board earlier this year. These appointees bring a wealth of experience across trade unions, energy networks, renewable associations, and organisational leadership roles in both public and private sectors. Their involvement is aimed at ensuring robust oversight and strategic guidance as Great British Energy expands its portfolio of clean energy projects.
The developments at Great British Energy reflect the broader trajectory of the UK's ambition to become a clean energy superpower through public ownership, substantial investment in renewables, and an emphasis on local industrial renewal. With McGrail now at the helm permanently, the company is poised to continue its trajectory of growth and innovation, advancing the green energy infrastructure and delivering economic as well as environmental benefits across the nation.