With Conergy’s entry into the Japanese growth market, the company further expands its strong footprint in Asia. The leading PV solution and service provider recently founded a branch office in Tokyo and appointed Hideyuki Otaka as the Managing Director of the new subsidiary. Furthermore, Conergy won the contract to realize an 830 kilowatt solar power plant in Shinhidaka on Japan’s second largest island Hokkaido for the local investor Fujicom Co Ltd. As the general contractor, Conergy is responsible for the design and engineering of the plant as well as for the supply of the components. Fudosan Kanri Center acts as the local construction partner of the ground-mounted installation on a surface of approximately 18,000 square meters.
Once completed in April 2014, more than 3,300 Conergy modules of the “P-Series” on Conergy SolarLinea mounting systems will produce over 900 megawatt hours of clean energy per year on the most northerly island of the country, while avoiding 440 tons of harmful CO2 emissions. The Conergy solar power plant will contribute to reducing the CO2 footprint of the country which has increased by nearly 40% since the nuclear disaster at Fukushima in the spring of 2011.
Systematic energy transition: Japanese market grew by 82% since 2012
“Japan is a role model for a systematic and rapid energy transition, there is no equal,” said Alexander Lenz, President of Conergy Asia & Middle East. “Such a change cannot be realized from one day to another and Japan just recently missed its CO2 targets due to the shut-down of its nuclear plants and the increased use of fossil fuels to cover the country’s energy needs in the short term. Japan is expected to have installed close to USD 20 billion worth of PV systems in 2013, up 82% from USD 11 billion in 2012. This strong revenue performance for Japan this year is partly driven by the high solar prices in the country. As a company, we aim to benefit from this rapid growth in demand for solar PV installations. Over the past year we have stepped up our business development efforts in Japan and these are now showing promising results.”
New build capacity to rise from 7 GW in 2013 to 8 GW in 2014
In 2013, around 7 GW of photovoltaic systems were installed in Japan, up from 2 GW in 2012. This figure substantiates the country’s commitment to the change and the strong focus on clean energy sources in the long term. With a large percentage of PV in the national energy mix, Japan will reduce its carbon footprint quickly all while refraining from nuclear power and excessive fossil fuels in the future. The outlook is bright as well: Experts predict a strong growth in 2014 as well, with an installed capacity rising from 7 gigawatts (GW) of new build capacity per year to 8 GW in 2014.
Hideyuki Otaka appointed Managing Director in Japan – strong PV and local expertise
Conergy aims to benefit from this growth potential and the Managing Director Hideyuki Otaka will drive the company’s business in the local market. Hideyuki Otaka gained prominence in the development of solar projects when he served as the head of foreign branches of Sojitz Corporation. Mr. Otaka will solidify Conergy’s platform in Japan and facilitate business.
“Conergy will leverage the experience and trust it has built in various countries worldwide and apply this to its business in the Japanese market,” added Mr. Otaka. “Initially, we plan to focus on EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) for large scale solar farms and industrial rooftop projects. Over the long term, we also want to enter the market for residential rooftops. Our extensive competence in engineering and quality management is well regarded in the industry but what truly sets us apart are our innovative service offerings and excellent management and operations capabilities that we extend to all of our customers. With our new Japan office, we will be able to bring our premier service model to Japanese customers.”
About Hideyuki Otaka
Mr. Otaka graduated from the Keio University Department of Economics in March 1975. In April 1975 he joined Nissho Iwai Corporation (currently Sojitz Corporation). After a stint in Pakistan and working in the Industrial Equipment Project Department, he became the General Manager of Nissho Iwai (currently Sojitz), Kuala Lumpur Branch in 2002, the Managing Director of Sojitz (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. in 2004, the General Manager of Sojitz Europe plc, Dusseldorf and Hamburg Branches in 2007 and President of Sojitz Logistics Corporation in 2010. He joined Conergy in July 2013 as Managing Director for Conergy Japan.
About Conergy
Conergy is a leading PV Solution and Service Provider and offers its customers tailor made, care-free, high-performance packages, including all relevant solar services – be it for private or commercial roofs or for multi-megawatt installations. Conergy has a strong balance sheet and is a highly bankable solar downstream expert with 350 employees and more than 15 years of experience in the planning, construction and operation of turnkey photovoltaic plants totalling to more than 600 megawatts. With an unrivalled sales network on five continents and subsidiaries in 11 countries, Conergy has a unique global footprint.
The Conergy sales and service units are owned by Kawa Capital Management, Inc., an independent asset management firm based in Miami, Florida. The partnership between Conergy and Kawa creates a globally unique player in the solar energy industry: Conergy’s expertise in providing complete solar energy solutions will be complemented by the financial management capabilities of Kawa, allowing Conergy to also provide financial capital solutions to its clients in the growing solar market.
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