Leeward Renewable Energy Names Willem van der Ven Chief Operating Officer

Experienced renewable energy executive to oversee operations and execute business strategy around an expanding portfolio

Dallas – (BUSINESS WIRE) – Leeward Renewable Energy (“Leeward”) today announced that Willem van der Ven has been named Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Van der Ven reports to Jason Allen, Leeward’s Chief Executive Officer, and assumes leadership of field and energy services, asset management, EHS, fleet procurement, operational engineering, control center and data analytics. 

His extensive experience in developing and implementing corporate growth strategies within the renewable energy sector will well support the Leeward portfolio.  Mr. Van der Ven has played integral roles in establishing new departments, teams and markets for corporations that place high value in company cultures of safety, reliability and performance.

Mr. Van der Ven has worked in the energy business for more than 25 years, with 18 years of experience in renewables. His previous experience includes overseeing the management, project execution and P&L of renewable energy facilities, providing leadership in business strategies and evaluating and executing acquisitions and divestments. He most recently served as VP, Power Operations for Enbridge and also held senior leadership roles at Atlantic Power Corporation, KR Wind Inc. and Suzlon Energy Corp.

“We are excited to welcome Willem to Leeward and know that we will benefit from his impressive experience and operational expertise,” said Mr. Allen. “Willem joins Leeward at a critical time as we continue to grow our solar, wind and energy storage portfolio across the U.S. He will oversee the safe and efficient operation of our expanding portfolio and will play an integral role in executing the Leeward growth strategy while ensuring high performance across the operating platform.”

Mr. Van der Ven holds an international executive master’s in business administration from the University of Twente, a master’s degree in electrical energy systems from the Technical University of Eindhoven, a bachelor’s degree in control systems from the Technical Academy in ‘s-Hertogenbosch and an associate degree in electronics from the Technical Academy in Nijmegen. 

About Leeward Renewable Energy, LLC

Leeward Renewable Energy is a leading renewable energy company that owns and operates a portfolio of 22 renewable energy facilities across nine states totaling approximately 2,000 megawatts of generating capacity. Leeward is actively developing new wind, solar, and energy storage projects in energy markets across the U.S., with 17 gigawatts under development spanning over 100 projects. Leeward is a portfolio company of OMERS Infrastructure, an investment arm of OMERS, one of Canada’s largest defined benefit pension plans with C$105 billion in net assets (as at December 31, 2020). For more information, visit www.lreus.com.