JERA and BP have announced the leadership team for their planned 50-50 offshore wind joint venture, JERA Nex BP, following their agreement in December to combine their offshore wind businesses.
The new entity will be led by Nathalie Oosterlinck, who currently serves as the CEO of JERA Nex. Erin Eisenberg, BP’s vice president of finance and low-carbon energy, will take on the role of chief financial officer. Richard Sandford, BP’s senior vice president of offshore wind, will become the chief development officer, while Zlati Christov, currently the chief investment officer at JERA Nex, will retain his position in the new company.
Eric Antoons, CEO of Parkwind, has been appointed chief operating officer, while Alfonso Montero Lopez, BP’s vice president of offshore wind engineering, will serve as chief technical officer.
The formation of JERA Nex BP aims to accelerate offshore wind development by combining the companies’ project pipelines and providing better access to competitive financing.
Yukio Kani, global CEO and chair of JERA, said, “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, added, “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. 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 was made during a ceremony attended by 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. The signing of the memorandum of cooperation in offshore wind power marked a key milestone for the joint venture.
Once approved by regulators, JERA Nex BP will hold operating and development assets with a potential net generating capacity of 13 GW across Europe, Asia Pacific, and the US.
