Energy economist to take top job at Iberdrola Australia

Bilbao-based Iberdrola has announced that Ross Rolfe will step down from his role as chief executive of Iberdrola Australia at the end of 2025. 

Rolfe, who will continue to serve as chairman of the Iberdrola Australia Board, will be succeeded by Paul Simshauser, who is chief executive of Powerlink Queensland and was a professor of economics at the Centre for Applied Energy Economics and Policy Research.

Iberdrola has been active in Australia since 2020, when it acquired the Australian renewables firm Infigen Energy, now Iberdrola Australia.

Since then Rolfe has led the company, which has invested $2.5 billion - in addition to the $1.4 billion associated with the acquisition of Infigen - in wind, solar, and battery storage projects across South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland. 

Over those five years, says Iberdrola, the company has tripled in size, quadrupled its customer base, secured an offshore wind feasibility licence in Victoria and launched a new networks business.

Rolfe said: “It has been a privilege and an honour to lead Iberdrola’s business in Australia over the past five years. I am proud of what we have achieved since the acquisition of Infigen in 2020, and I am deeply grateful to Ignacio Galán, Pedro Azagra and Hugh Elliott for their trust and support.”

New leadership in a growing market

Simshauser, a recognised energy economist, has held senior leadership roles for over 25 years across Australia’s energy markets, regulatory bodies and public policy institutions. 

He is currently CEO of Powerlink Queensland, a government-owned corporation that owns, develops, operates and maintains Queensland’s high-voltage electricity transmission network.

Rolfe welcomed the appointment: “I am delighted that Paul will lead the next chapter of Iberdrola’s journey in Australia. He is a highly respected industry leader with deep expertise in the Australian energy system.”

Simshauser’s appointment comes as Iberdrola continues to show interest in Australia for potential investments, with plans to invest €1 billion ($1.2 billion) in the country until 2028.

More on Iberdrola:
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Iberdrola adds 708MW to renewables alliance with Norges Bank

Since entering the Australian market in 2020, Iberdrola has significantly expanded, and has delivered major projects including the Port Augusta Renewable Energy Park, completed in 2022; the Avonlie Solar Farm, delivered in 2023; and Flyers Creek Wind Farm, completed in 2024. Projects under construction include the Smithfield Battery Energy Storage System and the Broadsound Solar Farm and BESS.

The company has a total operating capacity of 1,895MW, with 622MW currently under construction. Its portfolio includes wind farms, solar farms, battery energy storage systems and fast-start firming assets that help manage the intermittency of renewable generation.

Additionally, just last week, Iberdrola acquired the 270MW/1,080MWh Tungkillo battery storage project, located in South Australia, from the RES Australia group for €275 million ($322 million), which is expected to start operating in 2028. 

Iberdrola has been doubling down its investments in countries with stable regulatory frameworks and credit ratings, such as AAA-rated Australia.

The company’s recently-presented 2025-28 plan foresees a total investment of €58 billion ($67.2 billion), an amount that will be allocated 85% to countries with an A rating equipped with stable, predictable and attractive regulatory frameworks.

The UK will be the main destination for investment, with €20 billion ($23.2 billion), followed by the US, with €16 billion ($18.6 billion), the Iberian Peninsula, with €9 billion ($10.4 billion), Brazil, with €7 billion ($8.1 billion) and other EU countries and Australia, with €5 billion ($5.8 billion).