Statkraft, Europe’s largest producer of renewable energy, has announced appointments for two major executive roles to strengthen its global and regional operations.
Fernando De Lapuerta named EVP International
Effective 1 January 2025, Fernando De Lapuerta will join Statkraft’s Corporate Management team as Executive Vice President (EVP) International. De Lapuerta, currently Statkraft’s Country Manager for Brazil, has nearly two decades of experience in the international renewable energy sector. A Spanish national with expertise in business and law, he has held senior positions in Spain, Panama, Brazil, and Norway since joining Statkraft more than a decade ago.
“I am very pleased that Fernando De Lapuerta has accepted the appointment as EVP International. He has been instrumental in delivering the strong growth and profitable operations Statkraft has achieved in Brazil in recent years,” said CEO Birgitte Ringstad Vartdal. “Fernando has personally played a pivotal role in delivering several high-profile projects and the successful completion of major deals. I am very pleased to welcome Fernando to my management team, where we continue to work on delivering solid value creation based on our ambitious growth strategy.”
Under De Lapuerta’s leadership, Statkraft has established a robust presence in Brazil since 2008, operating 18 hydropower plants and 8 wind farms with a combined capacity exceeding 2,200MW. In February 2024, the company inaugurated its largest wind farm outside Europe – the 519 MW Ventos de Santa Eugênia Wind Complex in Bahia –cementing its position among Brazil’s top 10 wind power producers.
“Statkraft has an ambitious strategy and unique position for further profitable growth within renewable energy. I am very much looking forward to contributing to our value creation together with the rest of the organisation outside Europe,” De Lapuerta said. The International business area will focus on growth opportunities in South America, leveraging scale and core capabilities. He succeeds Ingeborg Dårflot, who will lead Statkraft’s new Technology and Project Delivery business area.
Pål Eitrheim appointed EVP Nordics
Pål Eitrheim, currently Executive Vice President for Renewables at Equinor, will take on the role of EVP Nordics by June 2025. He will oversee Statkraft’s power plant operations and project development in Norway and Sweden, including the company’s extensive hydropower assets, which generate one-third of Norway’s electricity.
“I am very proud and pleased that Pål Eitrheim has accepted the important role as head of our power plant operations and project development activities in Norway and Sweden,” said CEO Birgitte Ringstad Vartdal. “Pål will, among other responsibilities, oversee Norwegian hydropower, the backbone of Statkraft. Our hydropower plants constitute one-third of Norwegian power production and we are in the process of further developing them for the future.”
Eitrheim has served as EVP for Renewables at Equinor since 2018, with prior leadership roles in Azerbaijan, Washington D.C., and Brazil. He also brings experience from procurement and corporate strategy. A board member of the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise and Veidekke ASA, Eitrheim holds a Master’s degree in Comparative Politics from the University of Bergen.
“Statkraft is Norway’s and Europe’s largest producer of renewable power, and thus one of the most important companies in the energy transition. It is also one of Norway’s most valuable and value-creating companies. I look forward to using my experience, skills, and commitment to further develop Statkraft during an exciting and crucial phase,” Eitrheim said. His priorities will include advancing hydropower for future needs and building new wind power capacity for industrial electrification and energy transition.
Eitrheim will succeed Dag Smedbold, who has been acting EVP Nordics since CEO Birgitte Ringstad Vartdal took on her current role earlier this year.
Positioned for continued growth
Statkraft is executing a strategy to focus its investments in key markets, including Norway, with plans to allocate tens of billions of kroner by 2030 to hydropower and wind energy projects. The company’s Nordic business area, which manages 158 power plants and oversees stakes in companies like Skagerak Energi and Eviny, generated over 53 TWh of renewable power in 2023. Globally, Statkraft continues to capitalize on opportunities in renewable energy, driven by falling technology costs and the urgent need for decarbonization.
