Vestas has named Purvin Patel as its new president for Asia-Pacific, marking a change of leadership for the global wind giant in a region that is tipped to provide many of the sector’s biggest growth opportunities in the coming decades.

Patel, who joins from facilities management multinational ISS where he was UK & Ireland CEO, replaces predecessor Clive Turton, who leaves Vestas after almost four years in the role.

Patel’s background includes seven years at ISS, and before that a career in food and retail, including senior roles at the UK arm of US stores giant Walmart.

He will take charge of a region that many analysts expect to be crucial in driving the next phase of the energy transition, including massive deployment of onshore and offshore wind.

In 2020 the Asia-Pacific geographical area accounted for 20% of Vestas total 17.2GW of orders, but that share was dominated by China, which is treated as a distinct region by Vestas.

Markets to be overseen by Patel, a UK national, will include: Japan, which is a key target for growth for Vestas’ offshore wind business in partnership with MHI; Vietnam, one of the world’s hottest onshore battlegrounds; India, which is still tipped to become one of the world’s key wind markets once it achieves full lift-off; and Australia, home to some of the world’s most ambitious renewable energy projects.

Those markets and others such as South Korea are expected to provide many of the opportunities for sharpest growth, with analysts at Wood Mackenzie late last year flagging a $1 trillion investment opportunity for the wind and solar sectors in the region to 2030.

Vestas said it is preparing to grow its footprint in Asia-Pacific, and Patel “will play a key role in this process with his strong commercial and operational competencies, driving a stronger and more consolidated regional setup”.

Group CEO Henrik Andersen said: “Wind and renewable energy have become mainstream, and Purvin’s solid operational background will be a strong asset as we broaden our presence in the region’s existing fast-growing markets and leverage our joint venture in Japan.”

Patel himself added: “Together with our strong manufacturing footprint and increased emphasis on offshore wind and development, there’s a huge potential for Vestas to grow profitably in Asia-Pacific, and together with the great team in Asia-Pacific, I look forward to grasping these opportunities.”

Wind

Vestas names new Asia-Pacific chief to drive key wind growth markets