National Grid Chief Sustainability Officer moves to SSE

National Grid Chief Sustainability Officer Rhian Kelly will be joining energy company SSE as CSO “later this year”, replacing Rachel McEwen in the role.

SSE made this announcement on Linkedin, explaining that Kelly’s leadership would help shape the next chapter of SSE’s sustainability journey “at a pivotal time for the energy transition”.

Kelly has been the Chief Sustainability Officer at UK utility firm National Grid since September 2022, after joining as Head of UK Public Affairs and Policy in 2017. She was chosen to take the helm of SSE’s sustainability strategy “after a highly competitive selection process”, the firm added.

SSE’s current CSO Rachel McEwen will be stepping down after 18 years at the energy provider, including 12 leading its sustainability strategy.

“I am absolutely delighted to be joining SSE plc later this year, building on the amazing work that Rachel McEwen has done. It's a pivotal time for the energy sector and I'm really looking forward to getting started,” Kelly commented.

SSE’s climate goals

SSE has set a number of climate targets for 2030, including an 80% reduction in carbon intensity and a fivefold increase in renewable energy output. The company is also aiming to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 72.5% by 2030 and Scope 3 emissions from the use of sold products by 50% by 2034.

In 2024, SSE’s Scope 1 and 2 emissions amounted to  5.7 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent – and should reach 3.04 million tonnes by 2030 under the current target. Scope 3 emissions represented 4.4 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent.

In its net zero transition plan, the company outlines its strategy to transition away from unabated fossil fuels like gas and diesel for electricity generation and expand its renewables portfolio, since Scope 1 makes up 67% of SSE’s emissions.