Steep expansion drives Scatec recruitment

From the newsletter

Data analysis by Renewables Rising shows that Norway-based renewable energy firm Scatec hired 23 senior professionals in the past month. This builds on March’s onboarding, which registered 12 new senior hires. This hiring momentum is in tandem with the company’s growing stake in African renewables in the same period.

• Scatec entered the African market in South Africa in 2010, capitalising on the country's Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme. Since then, it has expanded into Mali, Mozambique, Egypt, Chad, Tunisia, and Botswana.

• In 2024, Scatec's self-funded growth strategy optimised its portfolio and capital. Strong Q1 2025 financials and the company’s growth pipeline suggest that it is hiring more senior people to match ambitious future plans. 

More details

• Over the past year, the company grew by 146  bringing the total number of senior staff members to 469, most of whom have an experience of about 9 years. The hiring is spread across 13 countries where the company is operating in Africa.

• Scatec has been expanding its renewable energy portfolio, with 6,200 MW of capacity in operation and under construction as of May 2025. Notably, the company commenced construction on its largest solar and battery hybrid project to date in Egypt, featuring 1,100 MW of solar capacity and 100 MW/200 MWh of battery storage. Additionally, new power purchase agreements (PPAs) in Egypt and Tunisia have added 1,300 MW to the backlog, reinforcing the need for a larger workforce to manage these projects.

• Beyond Egypt, Scatec has also heightened construction activities across most of its operating countries in Africa. This is reflected in the development and construction segment’s reported revenues of $73 million generated primarily from these African construction endeavours in Q1 2025.

• The company is also doing well financially. In the first quarter of 2025, it generated $96 million in revenue, with assets in South Africa and Egypt being the primary contributors to electricity generation.

• Scatec's success in Africa can be attributed to several factors, including its early entry into key markets with supportive regulatory frameworks like South Africa. Furthermore, its diversified portfolio of projects across various technologies (solar, hydro, wind) and geographies in Africa likely provides a stable revenue stream and mitigates risks associated with individual projects or markets. This "big money" from a diversified portfolio allows for reinvestment and further expansion.

• The company's 2027 plan centres on profitable growth in renewables, primarily solar and batteries. They'll focus on major markets like South Africa and Egypt for large-scale projects, targeting strong financial returns. Additionally, they aim to selectively expand in green hydrogen in Egypt.

• Looking ahead, we anticipate a continued upward trend in Scatec’s hiring activities. The significant projects secured in Egypt and Tunisia, coupled with ongoing construction across its African footprint, will undoubtedly require a substantial increase in skilled personnel across various departments, from project management and engineering to operations and business development. 

Our take

• As Scatec moves into green hydrogen and more advanced hybrid projects, expect hiring to accelerate both in numbers and the calibre of talent required to deliver on these bold ambitions.

• Scatec’s diversified portfolio is the key to its African success. By spreading investments across multiple countries and technologies, Scatec reduces risk and ensures steady revenue. 

• Leveraging its early entry into Africa’s renewable energy market has been the cornerstone of Scatec’s dominance across the continent. This strategic first-mover advantage has allowed the company to secure prime projects, build deep local expertise, and establish trusted partnerships ahead of competitors.