JERA Nex, leading the energy transition

By Satoshi Yajima, Chairman:

The launch of JERA Nex is an important milestone in the growth of JERA, which for nine years has been helping to redefine the energy market in Japan and around the world.

It is just nine years since JERA itself was formed by our shareholders, TEPCO Fuel & Power, Inc and Chubu Electric Power Co. Inc, and in that time the company has established a proud track record of providing internationally competitive energy to Japan and further afield – achieving the goal set for the company when it was started.

We recognize, of course, that as a major electricity provider we have a social responsibility to provide energy that is sustainable, affordable and secure. JERA Nex represents an important next step in that journey, as we seek to achieve our goal of zero CO2 emissions by 2050.

Promoting the development of renewable energies, and in particular wind and solar, is one of the central pillars of the strategy aimed at delivering the 2050 goal. And the deployment of wind and solar will be supported by the adoption of battery storage technology.

During 2023 we made significant headway with our acquisition of Parkwind, the leading Belgian offshore wind developer, and GPI here in Japan. As a result, we are already building a formidable portfolio, with offshore wind farms active in Japan, Taiwan, and Europe where we manage and operate five wind farms in Belgium and Germany.

The expansion of our renewables business through JERA Nex will also support our development of our low carbon fuels business with JERA seeking to provide solutions across the entire value chain with green ammonia and hydrogen.

I am proud to have served JERA since 2016 in a variety of roles, and it is a privilege to be able to take on the role of Chairman of JERA Nex, and to help guide this next stage of our development. The path has rarely been smooth for JERA, but the combination of innovation, commitment and humility has enabled us to emerge stronger through all our tests.

The renewables industry has also been challenged in recent times, with geopolitical events leading to volatile and uncertain conditions. The same qualities that have served us in the last nine years will serve us well now. JERA is here to be a long-term investor in renewable energy, and a secure and stable partner within the industry.

JERA Nex will lead those efforts, in partnership with our teams throughout the world, and we are confident that together we can scale renewables for a sustainable future.