ODE makes significant Tokyo appointment ahead of major trade shows

ODE, one of Europe’s most experienced offshore wind engineering, design and project management contractors, has appointed a new Japan Country Manager as it prepares for further expansion in Tokyo.

Takao Sato will bring his extensive experience in electrical engineering and offshore projects, as well as an intimate knowledge of the Japanese supply chain to the post as he looks to expand ODE’s offices in the Roppongi district of Tokyo and to prepare for further local recruitment. Sato-san, who has held a number of director and senior management positions at both Japanese and international companies, joins ODE from Chiyoda Corporation, a major Japanese engineering company specialising in oil and gas, LNG and other industrial facilities.

ODE Group Managing Director/CEO Peter Godfrey said: “We are delighted to have Sato-san on board, and his experience and presence in the market will be vital for ODE’s growth in Japan.  Sato-san has the character and aptitude to ensure that ODE blends the experience of our European colleagues with the undoubted enthusiasm of our colleagues in Japan to deliver best practice and significant results to our local clients.

“This is such an interesting market, it will in the longer term undoubtedly be a floating and fixed floating wind market, and ODE brings extensive expertise in this respect. In the short term, it will be fixed bottom developments that deliver cost effective offshore renewable power in to the grid and build the local delivery capability. It’s exciting to be a part of this.”

Sato-san’s appointment comes ahead of the Japan Offshore Wind Conference in Osaka on October 28 and 29. Mr Godfrey, Sato-san and ODE’s Regional Engineering Manager Ben Atwell will be in attendance at the show to demonstrate how ODE can bring its expertise to the Japanese offshore wind market, with Mr Godfrey moderating a session on “Improving Offshore Wind Farm Business Case Certainty with Advanced Tools and Solutions”.

After the Osaka show, ODE will be represented at the Offshore Wind Symposium in Kita-Kyushu on October 31, where Mr Godfrey will be presenting. All three will be available for discussion at the exhibition.