JERA Nex bp picks top team as Japan and UK strengthen offshore wind ties
New entity will have up to 13GW of operating and development assets globally, with BP glad to push offshore wind assets off its balance sheet
Japan’s JERA group and Britain’s BP have announced the leadership team of their planned 50-50 offshore wind joint venture, JERA Nex bp.
The entity, which the pair see as a “leading global offshore wind developer, owner and operator”, will be led by CEO Nathalie Oosterlinck, who is currently head of JERA’s clean energy offshoot JERA Nex.
In addition to Oosterlinck, the leadership team includes the following:
- Erin Eisenberg, CFO; currently VP finance (low carbon energy) at BP
- Richard Sandford, Chief Development Officer; currently SVP offshore wind at BP
- Zlati Christov, Chief Investment Officer; currently CIO at JERA Nex
- Eric Antoons, Chief Operating Officer; currently co-CEO of Parkwind (JERA Nex)
- Alfonso Montero Lopez, Chief Technical Officer; currently VP, offshore wind engineering at BP
The creation of JERA Nex bp — which was announced in December — is intended to accelerate development from the combined pipelines and bolster access to competitive financing, the partners said.
BP’s CEO Murray Auchincloss has also underlined the role that the joint venture will play in taking renewables investments of the oil major’s balance sheet as it pursues a drive to improve returns on investment.
Yukio Kani, CEO and chair of JERA commented: “The leadership team of JERA Nex bp brings together the best characteristics of both companies and has the experience and expertise to lead this next phase of development in offshore wind energy".
Subject to regulatory and other approvals, the new entity will have operating and development assets totalling a potential 13GW across Europe, Asia Pacific and the US, the partners stated.
“JERA Nex bp will enter the market with a world-class leadership team and a strong portfolio of high quality operating assets and projects pipeline," added William Lin, executive vice president for gas and low carbon energy.
"As a leading independent platform for renewables development, the JV will benefit from the strong partnership between the two shareholders that extends beyond low carbon energy.”
The announcement of the JERA Nex bp leadership team was made in the presence of Yoji Muto, Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry; Jonathan Reynolds, UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade; and Julia Longbottom, the British Ambassador to Japan as part of the signing ceremony for a cooperation memorandum on offshore wind power.
(Copyright)