FuelCell Energy Taps Legal Veteran for Global Expansion Push

DANBURY, CT – January 12, 2026 – FuelCell Energy, a company at the forefront of clean power generation, today announced a strategic leadership appointment that signals a significant sharpening of its global ambitions. The company has named Amanda J. Schreiber, a seasoned legal executive with over two decades of experience in the global power sector, as its new General Counsel and Corporate Secretary.

The move comes as FuelCell Energy pivots from its research and development roots towards larger-scale commercial deployments in the utility, industrial, and burgeoning data center markets. Schreiber’s appointment is being viewed by industry observers as a critical step to build the legal and governance framework necessary to support this aggressive growth, particularly in navigating complex international projects, multi-billion-dollar financing, and large-scale mergers and acquisitions.

A Strategic Play for Global Scale

Schreiber joins FuelCell Energy from ContourGlobal, a global power generation company where she served as executive vice president and general counsel. During her tenure, she was a central figure in the company’s dramatic expansion, helping to scale its platform to over six gigawatts of installed capacity across 20 countries. This experience in managing both organic growth and complex M&A activity across a diverse international portfolio is precisely what FuelCell Energy needs as it looks to replicate its own success on a larger stage.

"Amanda is a proven leader with deep experience in global power markets and complex transactions," said Jason Few, President and Chief Executive Officer of FuelCell Energy, in a statement. Few emphasized that her background would be instrumental as the company progresses into larger deployments. "Amanda’s background scaling complex portfolios, leading sophisticated financing, and structuring cross-border commercial arrangements will help ensure FuelCell Energy’s contracting, risk management, and governance capabilities actively support our next phase of growth."

The company is already managing projects of significant international complexity. Its recent delivery of 22 fuel cell modules to Gyeonggi Green Energy (GGE) in South Korea, which operates the world's largest fuel cell park, serves as a "primary resume builder," according to company statements. That project, supported by a $25 million debt financing package from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM), highlights the intricate cross-border legal and financial structures that are becoming the norm. Schreiber’s expertise in this arena is expected to de-risk and accelerate similar future endeavors.

Beyond Tech: The New Legal Frontier in Clean Energy

While technological innovation has long been the primary battleground for clean energy firms, the industry is entering a new phase of maturation. Success is no longer solely dependent on having the most efficient fuel cell or solar panel. Instead, the ability to execute large, capital-intensive projects across inconsistent international regulatory landscapes has become a key differentiator.

The legal and regulatory hurdles are substantial. Companies expanding globally face a patchwork of national energy laws, complex permitting processes, and uncertain policy incentives. Securing the massive, long-term financing required for utility-scale projects is a significant obstacle, often demanding innovative financial structures and sophisticated risk management.

Schreiber's appointment reflects this industry-wide trend. Clean energy companies are increasingly recognizing that world-class legal and governance functions are not just a back-office necessity, but a competitive advantage. Competitors like Bloom Energy and Plug Power also retain long-tenured, high-level general counsels to navigate these challenges. By bringing in a leader with direct experience in EPC contracting, project finance, and cross-border commercial deals, FuelCell Energy is building the "soft infrastructure" of legal and governance expertise required to support the deployment of its physical technology worldwide.

Fortifying for High-Stakes Markets

FuelCell Energy's growth strategy is sharply focused on high-demand sectors, most notably the power-hungry data center industry. The company is actively marketing its carbonate fuel cell platforms as a solution for hyperscalers and data center developers seeking reliable, grid-independent baseload power. With "hundreds of megawatts in pricing proposals" reportedly out to potential customers, converting these proposals into executed contracts is a top priority.

These are not simple sales; they are long-term, high-value energy service agreements that require bulletproof legal and commercial frameworks. Schreiber's experience advising boards and executive teams on enterprise risk and regulatory matters will be crucial in structuring these deals to ensure long-term value and mitigate potential liabilities.

This strategic legal reinforcement comes as the company prepares for a significant manufacturing scale-up. FuelCell Energy has earmarked between $20 million and $30 million in capital expenditures for 2026 to expand its Torrington, Connecticut facility's annual capacity to 350 megawatts. This investment is a clear bet on future demand, and strong governance under a seasoned corporate secretary will be essential to manage this expansion efficiently and maintain investor confidence as the company aims for its target of positive adjusted EBITDA.

A Proven Leader for a Pivotal Moment

Schreiber's career trajectory showcases a deep immersion in the worlds of high-stakes law and global energy. Before moving to in-house leadership roles, she honed her skills at the elite law firms of Covington & Burling and Sullivan & Cromwell and clerked on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. This foundation, combined with her executive experience at ContourGlobal, makes her uniquely suited for the challenges ahead.

"I’m excited to join FuelCell Energy at such a pivotal moment," Schreiber stated. "The company’s technology, mission, and growth ambitions are compelling, and I look forward to partnering with the leadership team to help drive disciplined execution and long-term value creation."

Her arrival is a clear statement of intent from FuelCell Energy. As the company seeks to transform its technological promise and project pipeline into a globally scaled, profitable enterprise, it is equipping itself with the leadership and legal firepower necessary to navigate the complexities of the modern energy landscape and execute on its ambitious vision.