Swisspower Renewables AG Appoints André Cruz As COO To Oversee European Wind, Hydro, And Solar Portfolio Generating Over 700 GWh Annually

Swisspower Renewables AG has appointed André Cruz as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). In this role, he will oversee the operational management and further development of the company’s European portfolio, which includes wind, hydro, and increasingly photovoltaic plants. The facilities operated by Swisspower Renewables currently generate over 700 GWh of renewable electricity annually, contributing significantly to an efficient energy transition.

Lars Hieke, CEO of Swisspower Renewables AG, stated that Cruz brings extensive experience across the entire spectrum of the renewable energy business, from project development and construction to operations and power marketing. Hieke added that Cruz’s expertise in wind, solar, and storage systems across Europe aligns well with the company’s strategy, which emphasizes profitability, efficient plant operations, and growth through in-house project development.

Cruz has extensive leadership experience in the renewable energy sector. Most recently, he served as COO at MET Group’s Windenergy division, overseeing the development, construction, and operation of wind power and battery storage projects. He previously held the position of Senior Manager Investments at Smartenergy and spent several years at Elektrizitätswerke des Kantons Zürich (EKZ), where he held various management roles, including Head of Solar Business and Asset Manager for Renewable Energies.

A qualified mechanical engineer from ETH Zurich with a focus on energy sciences, Cruz also holds a Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) in Accounting & Finance from HWZ Zurich. This combination of technical expertise and financial management skills positions him to expand Swisspower Renewables’ portfolio and support the development of new service-based business models.

André Cruz commented that Swisspower Renewables combines the long-term perspective of Swiss municipal utilities with a strong focus on operational excellence. He expressed his enthusiasm for working with the team to optimize existing wind and hydropower plants, advance repowering projects, and implement the company’s pipeline of photovoltaic and storage initiatives.