• Featured
  • People

Norsk Solar: Appoints new CEO

  • Sector: Energy
  • Date: May 16, 2023

  • Company: Norsk Renewables develops and invests in renewable energy in emerging markets.

Øyvind L. Vesterdal, the company’s co-founder and CEO, will step down from his position on May 16, 2023. Vesterdal has played a pivotal role in Norsk Solar’s success, boasting an impressive track record that includes growing the company from four to 40 employees, listing it on the Oslo Stock Exchange, establishing financial partnerships with Norfund and Finnfund, and making substantial investments in renewable energy. Under his leadership, the company has also brought 70 MWp of solar PV plants into operation, providing long-term revenue streams and helping clients reduce carbon emissions and electricity costs.

To guide Norsk Solar into its upcoming phase of expansion, Øyvind L. Vesterdal will hand over the leadership responsibilities to Torbjørn Elliot Kirkeby-Garstad, who comes with 16 years of experience as an industrial renewable energy investor. Vesterdal will continue in an advisory role until the end of August 2023 to ensure a smooth transition. “I am pleased to announce Torbjørn as the new CEO,” states Øyvind Vesterdal. “This represents a significant uplift for the company, expected to result in substantial growth,” Vesterdal concludes.

“I am very pleased to join Norsk Solar at this exciting point in the company’s history,” says Torbjørn Elliot Kirkeby-Garstad, new CEO at Norsk Solar. “I look forward to working with the talented team here to build upon the strong foundation laid by Øyvind and to take the company to new heights,” Kirkeby-Garstad concludes.