Ørsted has appointed Peter Hepburn as its new Head of Generation UK, effective 1st October 2026.
Peter joins Ørsted from Spirit Energy, where he most recently served as Operations Director, bringing more than 30 years of experience leading complex offshore operations, asset-intensive businesses and organisational transformation across highly regulated, safety-critical industries.
As Head of Generation UK, Peter will lead one of the most significant operational portfolios within Ørsted's global Generation business. He will be responsible for the safe, reliable and commercially effective operation of the company's UK offshore wind fleet, comprising 12 operational wind farms, just under 1,000 offshore wind turbines and approximately 5.7 GW of installed renewable energy capacity.
The role also includes responsibility for a workforce of around 650 employees and more than 500 contractors, overseeing major joint venture and regulatory relationships, and supporting the continued growth of Ørsted's UK Generation business through the commissioning of Hornsea 3.
Throughout his career, Peter has successfully led large-scale operational improvement programmes, strengthened governance and developed high-performing organisations across offshore energy businesses. His experience spans operational leadership, asset management, commercial strategy, regulatory engagement and sustainability, with a strong track record of delivering safe and reliable operations while driving long-term value.
Prior to joining Spirit Energy, Peter held a number of senior leadership positions with EnQuest and Maersk Oil, including Global Health, Safety, Environment & Assurance Director; Upstream Asset Manager; Director of Operations; and Director of Health, Safety and Environment.
Commenting on the appointment, Godson Njoku, Chief Generation Officer at Ørsted said:
"Peter joins Ørsted at an exciting time for our UK business. His extensive operational experience, proven leadership and deep understanding of safety-critical offshore industries make him exceptionally well placed to lead one of the world's largest offshore wind generation portfolios. As we continue to grow our UK fleet and prepare for the commissioning of Hornsea 3, Peter's leadership will help ensure we continue to deliver safe, reliable and efficient operations while creating long-term value for our customers, partners and stakeholders."
Peter Hepburn, incoming Head of Generation UK at Ørsted, said:
"I'm delighted to be joining Ørsted and to have the opportunity to lead such an important part of the company's global business. The UK is at the forefront of offshore wind, and Ørsted has played a central role in building one of the world's leading renewable energy portfolios.
"I'm looking forward to working with colleagues across the business to build on that success, maintaining the highest standards of safety and operational performance while supporting the continued growth of offshore wind as a cornerstone of the UK's future energy system. Together, we'll continue developing a strong performance culture, investing in our people and delivering reliable, sustainable energy for homes and businesses across the UK."
Alongside his operational leadership roles, Peter has contributed to the wider energy sector through his work with Step Change in Safety and a range of industry groups focused on workforce engagement, asset integrity and major accident prevention. He holds a Master of Science with Distinction in Process Technology and Management, a Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical and Process Engineering, and is a Chartered Engineer and Corporate Member of the Institution of Chemical Engineers.