Takeshi Yokota has worked for Toshiba – one of NuGen’s parent companies – since 1982. He has taken over from Shigenori Shiga who has been appointed as the overall chairman of the Japanese conglomerate.
Yokota will continue in his current roles as executive officer and corporate senior vice president of Toshiba. He will also head-up the company’s operations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Unlike his predecessor, Yokota will be based in the UK in London.
He has previous experience in energy at Toshiba, having worked on transmission and distribution, photovoltaic systems and smart grids.
NuGen chief executive Tom Samson said: “We look forward to working with our new chairman and board to drive forward our phenomenal project at Moorside. I am confident his renowned international experience combined with being based in the UK will greatly assist in our dealings with key stakeholders, including government.”
NuGen unveiled the shortlist for a design competition for Moorside in May. The company is half way through the second stage of a public consultation on its proposals.
A final investment decision is expected to be made towards the end of 2018. Under the current schedule the plant will be commissioned in 2025.