Newly appointed CEO at Pioneer Energy
Pioneer Energy Group is delighted to announce that Peter McClean, current General Manager Pioneer Energy Renewables has been appointed as the next Chief Executive Officer of Pioneer Energy Group, effective from 1 April 2025. Current CEO, Fraser Jonker will stay on in a business advisory capacity until his retirement on June 30.
Peter has been with Pioneer Energy for over a decade and has demonstrated remarkable leadership. His career within Pioneer has been a story of continuous growth and achievement, positioning him as a trusted leader and innovator.
This appointment follows a comprehensive global search, conducted by a highly regarded executive search firm. The Board evaluated a quality shortlist of strong candidates, and Peter stood out as the clear choice to lead Pioneer Energy into the future.
Pioneer Chair Rob Hewett says, “Pioneer is delighted that one of our own has earned this opportunity, bringing both continuity and a fresh perspective to the role. Pioneer is extremely grateful to Fraser for his outstanding leadership over nearly 15 years as CEO. Under Fraser’s tenure, Pioneer Energy has achieved significant growth, strengthened its position in renewable energy, and built a powerful platform for future success”.
Retiring CEO, Fraser Jonker says, “I have had a very exciting and rewarding time at Pioneer. I am proud of the business relationships built over this period that ensured we could significantly expand the core business and establish New Zealand’s first Organic Food Waste Bioenergy facility that also resulted in New Zealand’s first biogas to grid. However, with the business now set up for the next stage of positive growth with a great pipeline of new opportunities, I am glad to hand over a solid platform to Peter to continue to build this amazing business into the future and continue to deliver value to our shareholding partners”
With Peter stepping into the CEO role, Pioneer Energy will soon begin the search for a new General Manager of their renewable energy business.
Pioneer Energy congratulates Peter on his well-deserved appointment and looks forward to an exciting future under his leadership.
A Story of Growth and Diversification
Since joining Pioneer Energy in 2010, Fraser Jonker has led the company through a period of significant growth and strategic diversification.
In 2012 Pioneer acquired Energy for Industry, an industrial thermal energy supply business. This acquisition brought diversity and expertise to the Central Otago based business.
In 2016, the company became the majority shareholder in the Pulse Energy retail business, partnering with Buller Energy Ltd to strengthen its position in the energy market.
Following the construction of Pioneer’s second wind farm in 2015, the company joined forces with Southern Partners, Roaring 40’s, the shareholders of PowerNet Ltd to establish the Southern Generation Limited Partnership (SGLP). This partnership fuelled substantial growth in renewable generation, leading to the acquisition of multiple hydro power schemes across New Zealand, including two developed by Pioneer in 2019 and 2021.
Pioneer has also ventured into the waste-to-energy sector through a partnership with Ecostock Ltd, forming Ecogas Limited Partnership. In 2022, the business commissioned its first world-class site in Reporoa, cementing its leadership in New Zealand’s organic food waste processing sector. The facility diverts organic waste from landfills to produce biomethane, and in a landmark achievement, it became the first site in New Zealand to inject biomethane into the country’s reticulated natural gas network.
In 2024, Pioneer acquired full ownership of SGLP, restructuring its business to position for future growth and the introduction of additional equity partners. As part of this transition, Pioneer also became the sole shareholder of Pulse Energy, with Buller Energy Ltd taking a stake in Pioneer Energy Renewables LP.
