Siemens Gamesa announces immediate departure of onshore CEO

Krogsgaard – who took up his role in November 2020 following an earlier shake-up of the management team – will be replaced by Siemens Gamesa CEO Jochen Eickholt on a temporary basis, the company said today.

The move follows an announcement last week that nearly 3,000 people globally will lose their jobs with the company.

SGRE said it had begun searching for a replacement CEO for its onshore business.

Media reports suggested that Krogsgaard was dismissed from his position but he declined to comment on them when contacted.

He told Windpower Monthly: “I do not have any comments concerning my departure from Siemens Gamesa, except that I wish my former employer and colleagues all the best for the future.”

Krogsgaard has worked in wind and renewables for two decades and has held a number of senior positions in the industry, including CEO of German manufacturer Nordex.

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Now read: Siemens Gamesa to cut almost 3,000 jobs globally

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He has also worked for MHI Vestas as co-CEO of its offshore wind segment and was chief executive of Siemens Gamesa’s EMEA region in an earlier stint for the firm.

In a statement, Siemens Gamesa said: “Lars Bondo Krogsgaard is no longer with the company…Jochen Eickholt will take over the interim responsibility, effective immediately, until a suitable replacement is found.”

Onshore woes

Onshore wind has been a weak point for Siemens Gamesa recently and has impacted stronger performancees in its offshore and service units.

The company said its performance over recent quarters had been “negatively affected by volatile market dynamics as well as internal challenges”, which included the “difficult” ramp-up of its 5.X onshore platform and costs from “component failures and repairs” in its older onshore platforms.

But SGRE said it was “committed” to its onshore business and was determined to make it profitable in future. It described onshore wind as “essential” to future growth.

Siemens Gamesa announced nearly 3,000 job cuts globally last week, as part of its long-term turnaround plan, known as ‘Mistral’.

Commenting on its strategy, the company said today it was “designed to make the organization simpler and leaner through decisive measures” as well as “improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness.”