FuelCell Energy has added digital-infrastructure investor Peter Hopper to its board, expanding the board to 10 directors. The appointment brings experience in data centers, infrastructure finance and dealmaking as the company pursues a strategy to supply reliable power to data centers and other advanced-computing facilities.
Hopper joined the board effective Oct. 26 and will serve on its Compensation and Leadership Development and Nominating, Governance and Sustainability committees. The announcement does not include a new customer contract, investment or operating forecast.
Key details
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Relevant infrastructure and investment background: Hopper has more than 25 years of experience spanning data centers, digital infrastructure, private equity, investment banking, capital formation and mergers and acquisitions. He co-founded Primary Digital Infrastructure, which advises and invests in data centers, connectivity, cloud, power and AI-related infrastructure.
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Prior major transactions: At DigitalBridge, Hopper co-led the approximately $11 billion take-private acquisition of data-center operator Switch and co-headed a $2.4 billion strategic asset fund. Earlier, he was a partner at ABRY Partners and co-founded DH Capital. FuelCell said he has led or advised on more than $40 billion in acquisitions, capital formation, recapitalizations and strategic investments.
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Board term and responsibilities: His term runs until FuelCell Energy’s 2027 annual shareholder meeting, unless he leaves the board earlier. He will serve on two committees, including the committee responsible for compensation and leadership development.
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Director compensation: Hopper will receive a $75,000 annual retainer, prorated from his Oct. 26 start date, and an award of 2,231 restricted stock units. The units are scheduled to vest at the 2027 annual meeting and may be settled in cash or company shares, at the compensation committee’s discretion. He is also eligible for the company’s director deferred-compensation plan and expense reimbursement.
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No disclosed selection arrangements: FuelCell said there were no arrangements or understandings with another person behind Hopper’s selection and no reportable transactions involving him.
Plain-English implications
The appointment adds a director with deal and financing experience in the digital-infrastructure sector FuelCell is targeting. The announcement signals board-level attention to data-center power opportunities and the capital requirements of infrastructure projects, but does not itself establish a commercial relationship or commit the company to a particular investment.