Baldwin moving to role at Origin

David Baldwin. Photo / Greg Bowker

Contact Energy managing director David Baldwin is to step down from the role after 4 years with the company.

The energy retailer said yesterday Baldwin would move from the role over the next three months to be replaced by Dennis Barnes.

Barnes is general manager for energy risk management at Origin Energy, which owns 51 per cent of Contact.

Baldwin will move back to Origin where he will be chief development officer.

Contact Energy chairman and Origin managing director Grant King said Baldwin had successfully led Contact through a period of substantial change including key initiatives such as bringing the Ahuroa gas storage facility and Stratford power station to fruition, overseeing the construction of the Te Huka power station and gaining consent for the 250 megawatt Tauhara 2 project and Te Mihi geothermal project.

"The board is delighted with David's contribution over the last 4 years and looks forward to his continued involvement as a director of the company in addition to his ongoing oversight of Contact's geothermal development programme," King said.

Baldwin has also been caught up in controversy during his tenure. Last year his pay came under fire from shareholders at the company's annual general meeting because of inconsistencies in the way it was reported in the Origin and Contact accounts.

The company also faced pressure over directors' fees and power outages in 2009.

Shares in Contact closed up 4c at $6.23.