Ron Bousso

LONDON (Reuters), Shell’s Head of Renewable Energies Elisabeth Brinton resigned in less than 2 years, just two years after she took over the reins. This is part of Shell’s strategy to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Brinton joined Shell in 2018 and stated in a LinkedIn posting that she would be leaving Shell to take up a position with another company. Shell veteran Mark Gainsborough was replaced by her as head of energy solutions and renewables.

On Friday, a Shell spokesperson confirmed that she had left.

Shell said that, following Brinton’s resignation, Shell would create two new leadership positions in renewables, beginning February 1.

Thomas Brostrøm, currently senior vice president for renewables, will be appointed head of renewable generation.

Steve Hill, who is currently the executive vice president at Shell Energy, will take over as head of energy marketing. Each role will be reported to Wael Sawan (head of integrated gas, energy solutions).

Brostrøm joined Shell in August 2021 after heading the North America offshore business for Danish firm Orsted (OTC:), the world’s biggest offshore wind company.

Thursday’s announcement by BP (NYSE): It hired Orsted executives to lead a new offshore division of its wind business as it restructures the British firm’s renewable businesses.

Under Brinton, Shell has expanded rapidly its renewables projects. Shell was among the partners that were awarded a few offshore wind licences for around 5 gigawatt capacity in the British North Sea earlier this month. In recent months, it has made several solar acquisitions.

Shell plans to achieve a zero-emissions company for greenhouse gases by 2050. Shell aims to increase its expenditure on renewables, low-carbon energy by approximately 10% to 15% of the overall spending budget.

As energy transition speeds up, oil and gas giants are becoming more aggressive in their competition with established renewables businesses.