Japanese-Danish offshore wind turbine manufacturer MHI Vestas has appointed Masato Yamada as its new regional manager for the Asia-Pacific region, which is one of the main areas of its global expansion.

Yamada before previously the OEM’s chief strategy officer, where he was instrumental in developing the joint venture (JV) between Japanese conglomerate Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Danish wind turbine maker Vestas.

He will move from the JV's headquarters in Aarhus, Denmark, to the MHI Vestas offices in Tokyo.

“We have a firm belief that MHI Vestas has a great opportunity in the Asia Pacific region, as several countries have begun to explore the potential of clean, offshore wind power,” said co-chief executive Johnny Thomsen.

“We are privileged to have an advocate such as Masato Yamada now leading the development of our company in Asia Pacific, and supporting the growth of our Japanese presence.”

MHI Vestas has a growing portfolio in Asia, notably in Japan, Taiwan and Vietnam. The company has won an order to supply Japan’s first utility-scale offshore wind farm, the 139MW Akita and Noshiro array, which it will supply with 33 typhoon-proof turbines from its parent Vestas.