JERA and bp announce leadership team of planned 50-50 offshore wind joint venture, JERA Nex bp

JERA Co., Inc. and bp have announced the leadership team for their upcoming 50-50 offshore wind joint venture, JERA Nex bp. Positioned to become a leading global offshore wind developer, owner, and operator, the new entity will be led by CEO Nathalie Oosterlinck, who currently serves as CEO of JERA Nex.

Alongside Oosterlinck, the leadership team includes experienced professionals from both companies:

1. Erin Eisenberg, CFO; currently VP Finance, low carbon energy at bp
2. Richard Sandford, Chief Development Officer; currently SVP offshore wind at bp
3. Zlati Christov, Chief Investment Officer; currently Chief Investment Officer at JERA Nex
4. Eric Antoons, Chief Operating Officer; currently co-CEO of Parkwind
5. Alfonso Montero Lopez, Chief Technical Officer; currently VP, offshore wind engineering at bp
6. First announced in December, the formation of JERA Nex bp aims to accelerate offshore wind development by leveraging the combined pipelines of both companies and enhancing access to competitive financing.

Yukio Kani, Global CEO and Chair of JERA, highlighted the strengths of the joint venture’s leadership: “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. With the backing of two strong shareholders with a long history of cooperation, and with an exciting and globally diversified development portfolio, we are confident JERA Nex bp will play a critical role in the energy transition in Japan, the UK, and beyond.”

William Lin, executive vice president for gas and low carbon energy at bp, emphasized the advantages of the partnership: “JERA Nex bp will enter the market with a world-class leadership team and a strong portfolio of high-quality operating assets and project pipelines. 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 leadership announcement 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 the Memorandum of Cooperation in offshore wind power.

Pending regulatory and other approvals, JERA Nex bp will manage operating and development assets with a total potential net generating capacity of 13GW across Europe, Asia Pacific, and the US.