Suzlon Energy appoints new CEO for China ops

Suzlon Energy, the world’s third-largest wind turbine manufacturer, has appointed He Yaozu as chief executive officer (CEO) and country manager of its China operations, Suzlon Energy Tianjin Ltd.

Yaozu has been a senior adviser to China Machinery New Energy Co, and serves as a non-executive director of China Green Power Ltd. He was also on the board of Hoi Sing Industrial Holding Company. He was the managing director of Global Infrastructure Company (Asia) Ltd and managing director of Ogden Energy in China. He is a senior fellow of the Hong Kong Institute of Directors.

“Yaozu’s extensive experience in both China and the wider region makes him an excellent fit for us at Suzlon,” said Tulsi Tanti, the founder, chairman and managing director of Suzlon Group.

The appointment of Yaozu would help Suzlon expand its China operations through initiatives, including establishing a research and development centre in Tianjin, co-investing in wind farm projects and increasing manufacturing investments, according to a company statement.

“As a group, we have a 3.4 per cent market share and have been executing contracts up to 1,000 Mw. China is now the largest market for wind in the world. We are confident that with Yaozu at the helm, and the encouraging public policy regime, our business can now really take off,” said Tanti. Suzlon has been operational in China for five years.

Yaozu said, “I am confident we will be announcing significant orders and increasing our market share shortly.”

Suzlon Group and its associates have invested around $300 million in China since 2006.